Balford Henry, Staff ReporterDEATH AND taxes are usually seen as the inevitables of life. But, while this year's budget contains no new direct taxes, the growing significance of death as a major contributor to population control is raising some concerns.
According to the Demographic Statistics Report 2001 from the Statistical Institute (STATIN), "Mortality has emerged as a significant component of population growth and more specifically an important source of decrement (growing gradually less) in the late 1990s."
This has been so despite confirmation by the Registrar General's Department (RGD) that many deaths, especially violent deaths, have not been registered.
The report said that the number of deaths registered annually had risen to an average of 16,200 since 1995 from an average 13,000-14,000 between 1991 and 1994.
STATIN has a provisional estimate of 14,129 deaths in 2001, which would have been some 2,200 less than the 16,338 recorded in 2000. But, the institute is predicting that the final out-turn for 2001 could be as high as 17,205, some 4,000 less than the main contributor to population decline, migration, which stood at 21,700 last year. The population at the end of 2001 was estimated at 2.6 million.
The reason for the uncertainty about the 2001 figures is basically related to the lag in death registrations. This is evidenced in the report by the fact that of the 16,338 deaths registered in 2000, a total of 2,447 or 15.2 per cent had occurred during previous years but not registered until 2000.
Westmoreland and Manchester were the only parishes showing late registrations of under 10 per cent. St. Ann, St. James and Clarendon had between 24.4 per cent and 20 per cent late registrations. Kingston and St. Andrew had 13.9 per cent.
STATIN pointed out as well, that the report has repeatedly pointed to the apparent "under-reporting" of infant deaths, as well as sudden and violent deaths.
"The increase in the latter types(sudden and violent deaths) in recent years has compounded the delays in the Coroner's Courts and, for the most part, are not registered. The Registrar General's Department (RGD) recognises this and states in the Annual Reports of 1999 and 2000, 'There are many deaths, especially violent deaths which have not been registered. The RGD will work with the Police to effect registration in a timely manner."
Another important aspect of the movements in the levels of mortality revealed in the report, was that many of the delays in registration of deaths are associated with changes in the relative intensity of deaths from various causes.
"Cause of death remains one of the weak areas of vital statistics," the STATIN report said."
"The classification of deaths according to cause generally follow the International Classification of Diseases, as promulgated by the World Health Organisation. The classification is revised every 10 years, in order that it may be consistent with the latest diagnostic practice and with medical advances. The classification of cause of death requires consideration of the following: Underlying causes, other cause, immediate cause and other co-morbidity.
