Infant and child mortality in the past

Abstract

The large volume of studies on infant and child mortality testifies to the enduring appeal of the subject within historical demography. For this reason a comprehensive review of the literature published in the five decades following the birth of the société de démographique historique is virtually impossible. After a brief discussion of the origins of the studies on the subject, the paper focuses on two main aspects that have been central to demographic research and still require further attention. The first one relates to the problems of measurement, classification and definition, while the second one refers to the vast theme of the determinants of survival in the first years of life during the health transition process. Research activity has made significant progress in relation to some of these determinants, while for others the results require stronger multidisciplinary collaborations. However in recent years the research agenda has greatly expanded as the result of a fruitful interdisciplinary exchange and an open dialogue between the various disciplines, which should be further enhanced. The authors conclude the paper highlighting the importance of a dialogue between past and present. The recent studies on the determinants affecting survival in the first years of life have indeed offered an important contribution for a deeper understanding of the causes of the historical decline in infant and child mortality. However it is also clear that the historical experience in the fight against mortality in the first years of life could help provide valuable insights into today's health interventions in the poorest countries.