184— Mortality Rates of Three Vaccine Preventable Diseases in Historic Rochester

The purpose of this study is to explore and compare the mortality rates of diphtheria, pertussis, and pneumonia in Rochester, New York from the mid-19th Century until the mid-20th century. The hypothesis of the study is that the proportion of deaths from diphtheria, pertussis, and pneumonia decreased with the presence of preventative initiatives. Public health initiatives about each disease will be used to help explain the mortality trends. Mortality statistics were collected and analyzed using transcription data from Mount Hope Cemetery. While diphtheria rates generally decreased over time, pertussis and pneumonia rates did not change even with new immunization initiatives. The underlying differences in these trends may be attributed to limitations of the study, beliefs about the diseases, and the infectiousness of each disease. Additionally, this study explores how trends in mortality rates from historical Rochester can inform modern efforts to increase vaccination coverage and disease prevention efforts.