The thesis explores Danish causes of death from 1829 to 1930,
deepening our understanding of Danish mortality trends and
advancing cause-of-death coding methodologies. Through a
multifaceted approach, it investigates historical mortality patterns,
the impact of classification systems on data interpretation, and the
historical context of Danish cause-of-death registration and
aggregation.
Three interrelated papers form the part of the thesis. The first
paper analyses infant mortality in Copenhagen from 1861-1911,
revealing a significant decline in infant deaths but relatively stable
cause-of-death patterns. Water- and foodborne and airborne diseases
were the primary killers, exhibiting clear seasonal variations. The
second paper investigates cause-of-death patterns in Copenhagen
from 1861-1911, focusing on cardiovascular causes. It emphasizes the
importance of age-specific analysis and highlights the significance of
coding for the composition of a dataset for analysis. The third paper
explores the development of cause-of-death registration and statistics
in Denmark from 1829-1930, showing the steadiness of the Danish
administrative framework and its contrast with other countries'
systems. It describes the stability of the Danish system, which relied
on physician certification and the use of the 1875 classification system
for more than half a century, resulting in cause of death data of
exceptional quality.
The thesis contributes to understanding Danish mortality
patterns, provides insights into historical frameworks, and enhances
the foundation for future comparative studies. In addition, the use of
a multiple coding method for the coding of the Danish causes of death
unveils distinctive national idiosyncrasies and emphasizes the need
for well-defined cause-of-death coding practices and dataset
composition. In conclusion, the thesis not only enriches our
understanding of Danish mortality history but also paves the way for
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deeper investigations into the intricate dynamics of mortality patterns
and coding practices across time and space.