[Registries in Bjurakers yearbook 1911-1930].

Area of Science:

• Historical epidemiology
• Public health history
• Industrial history

Context:

• Study examines mortality and life expectancy in Bjuråker parish, Sweden, 1911-1930.
• Focuses on two industrial villages (Strömbacka, Moviken) with poor sanitation and challenging living conditions.
• Compares findings to the rest of the parish and national Swedish data.

Purpose:

• To analyze causes of death, average life span, and infant mortality in early 20th-century Swedish industrial communities.
• To investigate the health impact of industrialization and poverty on a specific population.
• To compare mortality patterns between industrial and rural settings.

Summary:

• Tuberculosis was the leading cause of death (16%), exceeding national and rural rates, with higher incidence in women.
• Cancer rates were also elevated compared to the rest of the parish and Sweden, predominantly affecting women.
• High infant mortality contrasted with findings in other industrial communities, indicating severe health challenges.

Impact:

• Highlights the significant health disparities faced by industrial workers and their families in early 20th-century Sweden.
• Provides valuable data for understanding the long-term health consequences of industrialization and poverty.
• Contributes to historical public health research by detailing mortality patterns in a unique socio-economic context.