A tragic trend

In 2004 436 people died on the roads.

In 2004 488 babies were still-born.

I contrast the two because the clamour over the first is constant and strident. What have you heard about the second, beyond one or two high profile incidents?

A stillbirth is a terrible tragedy. Miscarriages are bad enough but if you go on to conceive again quite quickly the result is you have a gorgeous child who otherwise wouldn't have been. There is nothing good comes from a stillbirth. Just loss.

The rate of stillbirths steadily dropped up until 1995. The definition of a stillbirth was changed in August that year resulting in a larger number than in 1994. Since, the numbers have fluctuated in the 300's. In 2004 there was a significant jump - 40 percent up on 2003. I will post the 2005 figure when it becomes available.

There is something amiss here.

Update; In 2005 there were 362 stillbirths. A drop back to "normal" range. But still one a day.