Study launched into causes of death in Amsterdam

Researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen is studying the causes of death of Amsterdam residents in the past in an effort to learn more about the development of public health, the Telegraaf reports.

For this study, the researchers will look at the cause of death of all 700 thousand Amsterdam residents who died between 1845 and 1940. According to a spokesperson for the university, Amsterdam is ideal for this study as no other city kept such proper track of the causes of death.

It is already obvious that between 1854 and 1940 there was a significant shift from death from infections to dying of old age. This can be attributed to better hygiene and the introduction of the Housing act.

But there is still a lot that needs to be clarified. For example, why is it that Catholic infants died much more frequently than Jewish infants?

The city's archive still has to be digitized before more can be learnt about the public health developments over time. The University is looking for volunteers for that job.