Content and Objectives

A regional analysis of mortality rates in Germany reveals that they are not evenly distributed, primarily to the disadvantage of the eastern, but also the northern states. In particular, the northeastern-most state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with its comparatively low average life expectancy is particularly interesting since it had a comparatively high life expectancy in the 19th century and is a popular recreational and holiday destination today, continuing to offer favourable conditions for long life, e.g. excellent air quality.

Therefore, this project examines the development of premature mortality in the German Baltic Sea region and the causes of the lower life expectancy in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern compared to its western neighbouring state Schleswig-Holstein, taking special account of avoidable mortality and urban-rural differences. To what extent can regional differences in the quality and accessibility of medical care as well as regionally different compositions of risk-relevant behaviour explain the existing differences in mortality? This question is of particular political relevance in light of the German Constitution’s aim to establish equal living conditions throughout all regions in Germany.

In addition, premature mortality in the 19th century is analysed based on historical church records of the Hanseatic city of Rostock. Thanks to the availability of individual data that deliver information on causes of death and socio-economic characteristics, the impact of social conditions on (cause-specific) infant mortality in a historical urban, northern German context can be measured for the first time.