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Historical Smallpox Mortality and Life Expectancy Index
Patient Health Records & Digital Health
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About
Smallpox haunted humanity for millennia, leaving an indelible mark on societal structures and health trajectories long before its eventual eradication. These records provide a historical and medical journey through the impact of the variola virus, tracking the progression of life expectancy alongside smallpox mortality rates across several centuries. By examining how this ancient scourge influenced population dynamics, researchers can observe the transformative power of early medical responses and the eventual triumph of science through vaccination. The data serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating power of infectious diseases and the resilience required to achieve a world free from such a lethal adversary.
Columns
- country: The name of the nation or territory being observed, featuring 56 unique entities including Sweden and the United Kingdom.
- area: A standardised code or identifier representing the geographical region or country.
- years: The specific calendar year of the observation, spanning a deep historical timeline from 1543 to 1900.
- Period life expectancy at birth - Sex: all - Age: 0: The average number of years a newborn was expected to live, reflecting the broad health and environmental conditions of the period.
- Number of deaths from smallpox per 1,000 population (Edwardes 1902): The mortality rate specifically attributed to smallpox, providing a precise metric for the virus's lethal impact on a population.
Distribution
The information is delivered in a single CSV file titled
swedenlifeexpectancysmallpoxdeaths new.csv with a size of approximately 32.18 kB. It contains 1,129 valid records structured across 5 columns, showing a 100% validity rate with no mismatched or missing entries reported for the primary fields. The collection is intended for annual updates to ensure the maintenance of this historical health archive.Usage
This resource is ideal for longitudinal studies exploring the historical impact of infectious diseases on national life expectancy. It is well-suited for researchers wanting to model the relationship between smallpox outbreaks and demographic shifts before the widespread adoption of the vaccine pioneered by Edward Jenner. Additionally, analysts can use the records to explore the correlation between the decline in smallpox mortality and the steady increase in human longevity during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Coverage
The geographic scope provides insights into 56 unique entities, with a particular focus on historical data from Sweden and the United Kingdom. Temporally, the collection offers a broad perspective ranging from 1543 through 1900, capturing the era of the industrial revolution and early medical advancements. The demographic focus is on entire national populations, offering a detailed view of how smallpox affected general health and survival rates across generations.
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
Medical historians can leverage these records to map the retreat of smallpox following the introduction of variolation and vaccination strategies. Demographers may utilise the life expectancy metrics to study the population resilience of pre-industrial and early industrial societies. Furthermore, public health researchers and students can find this a valuable primary source for understanding the historical burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and the long-term benefits of international eradication efforts.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- Historical Smallpox Mortality and Life Expectancy Index
- The Ancient Scourge: Multi-Century Smallpox and Longevity Records
- Smallpox Impact on Human Longevity (1543-1900)
- Global Historical Mortality and Life Expectancy Archive
- Variola Virus and Demographic Trends: A Multi-National Study
Attributes
Original Data Source: Historical Smallpox Mortality and Life Expectancy Index
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