From a statistical point of view, a nation's health services need to account for mortality and morbidity rates. In the first case, it is the number of deceased persons in a population as a whole. The morbidity index or rate refers to the proportion of individuals who fall ill during a given period.
Of course, both concepts are closely related, since many diseases are the direct cause of death. In this way, morbidity and mortality are spoken of as interaction between deaths and the medical causes that produce them. It should be noted that the morbidity and mortality rate can be understood as a general and gross data or in a specific way (by disease, by sex or by age).
If it is shown that a specific pathology is the cause of a certain number of deaths, we speak of the morbidity and mortality of said pathology.
The causes of death in the world are highly variable. In countries such as Colombia, France or Spain, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the population. In many African countries, AIDS, malaria and hepatitis B are responsible for a high percentage of deaths.
The statistical data provided on morbidity and mortality are very useful to establish effective medical strategies
Obesity, malaria, diabetes or dengue are diseases that can potentially lead to death. Likewise, morbidity and mortality can be oriented in all kinds of medical issues, such as pediatrics, maternity or smoking. On the other hand, the quality of the water or the atmospheric contamination are also some of the causes that produce mortal diseases.
Infant morbidity and mortality
The deaths of children depend on two major factors: the level of poverty of a nation and the quality of public health. In large areas of Asia and Africa, the two main causes of childhood morbidity and mortality are pneumonia and diarrhea. These pathologies produce mortality rates that could be significantly reduced with basic medical care, proper nutrition, and a vaccination system.
Medical studies on infant morbidity and mortality focus on all those causes that have a direct relationship with the death of children. These include perinatal conditions (asphyxia during childbirth or congenital pneumonia) and congenital malformations.
