El descenso de la mortalidad en México de 1940 a 1980

Abstract

A large part of the information available up until the present time on the evolution of mortality in Mexico during the period 1940-1980 is analyzed here. This is not only a review of studies already carried out; when they deem it necessary, the authors occasionally bring forth new data and interpretations. Of particular interest in this article is the analysis of infant mortality in Mexico by regions and the analysis of the rate of decrease in general mortality. Within this framework, said analysis showed that part of the decline that took place from 1960 onwards is the result of the nearly total stagnation of mortality levels in lesser-developed regions. In addition, a careful appraisal is made of trends in mortality by causes; a salient feature of this evaluation is, once again, the well-known finding that there has been a rise in the relative weight of deaths due to accidents and violence and of those due to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.