Deconstructing colonial health differentials : Malta and Gibraltar prior to World War II

Abstract

This paper illustrates that based on key demographic measures of well-being, Malta lagged significantly behind that of Gibraltar prior to WW II. The majority of the observed differences can be attributed to substantially higher mortality rates in both infancy and children aged 1 to 5 years of age. Clear differences existed within Malta by residence location. The observed heterogeneity in childhood mortality showed two divergent trends with an improvement among urban dwellers and decline in survivorship among rural inhabitants. Factors responsible for the differences in well being at both the inter- and intra-population level are explored.