Historical regional patterns of infant mortality in Austria.

"First an overview is given of the secular decline of infant mortality in Austria between 1820 and 1950.... Second the study analyses the historical regional differences of infant mortality in Austria comparing data for all 99 political districts (Politische Bezirke) for the period 1900 to 1950. The most important results are: At the turn of the 19th century infant mortality rates were generally lower in Alpine than in non-Alpine regions and lower in cities than in their surrounding areas. This geographical pattern which remained constant until the 1950s was solely determined by differences in post-neonatal mortality rates. Plausible explanations for these regional differences are discussed." (SUMMARY IN FRE) excerpt