Rates
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A rate is a measure of the frequency of an event or phenomenon. In public health, vital statistics, epidemiology, and other aspects of the health sciences and health care, events of interest include birth, deaths (so-called vital events), outbreaks of disease, spells of sickness, hospitalizations, immunizations against infectious diseases, and many other events and phenomena. A rate is more than a number: Its aim is to compare frequencies of phenomena at different times and places, among different classes of persons. Rates are calculated by a simple arithmetical procedure:
The components of a rate are the numerator (the number of events), the denominator (the population at risk of experiencing the event), the specified period in which the events occurred, and a multiplier (a power of 10) that converts the rate from an awkward fraction to a whole number. All rates are ratios; some rates are proportions (the numerator is a portion of the denominator). For example, the "case fatality rate" is the number of fatal cases as a proportion of all cases of a condition, such as hospitalized patients with acute heart attacks. Sometimes the meaning is further restricted to mean change over time or, alternatively, the cases of a disease originating at an instant in time, known as the "instantaneous incidence rate." The customary usage refers to the ratio of cases to the population at risk of experiencing the event over a period of time, usually a year. Since the size of the population may fluctuate over this period, the denominator for this rate is arbitrarily selected to be the population midway through the year.
(SEE ALSO: Incidence and Prevalence; Population at Risk; Rates: Adjusted; Rates: Age-Adjusted; Rates: Age-Specific)
— JOHN M. LAST
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Rates
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For other uses, see Rate (disambiguation).
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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009) |
For Rates as in the local government tax of British origin, see Rates (tax).
| Rates (São Pedro) | |
|---|---|
| — Parish — | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Municipality | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.88 km2 (5.36 sq mi) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 2,539 |
| • Density | 180/km2 (470/sq mi) |
| Website | none |
Rates (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʁatɨʃ]) is a Portuguese parish and town located in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 2,539 inhabitants and a total area of 13.88 square kilometres.
History
Rates is a historic small town that developed around the Monastery of Rates, established by Henry of Burgundy in 1100 AD on the site of an older temple. It gained importance due to the legend of Saint Peter of Rates, first bishop of Braga, becoming in a central place in the Portuguese Way of Saint James.
It has been inhabited since the Roman era; archaeological works in its church date the site from the Roman era, and there was a Roman road running through it.
In the 16th century, the monastery was dissolved and a Comenda of the Order of Christ was created. Its first Comendador was the Noble Knight Tomé de Sousa, who John III of Portugal made Governor of Brazil. It lost its municipal status in 1836 and was annexed to Póvoa de Varzim. It became a town again on July 2, 1993, mostly due to its historical importance. This new status is merely honorary in nature and not of administrative importance.
General details
Chapels as seen from the monastery
Clock tower
Former town hall and pillory
The main square of Rates
Geography
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Rates is located 11 km east of downtown Póvoa de Varzim; and borders Laundos to the west, and Balasar to the east. In the northeast it has a border with Barcelos and to the south with Vila do Conde.
The parish is dominated by Serra de Rates, whose flora is distinguished by the Pedunculate Oak or the European Holly.
Rates is the biggest parish of the municipality and regardless being the most scarcely populated, the City Council of Póvoa de Varzim gives much attention to it, given its historical and landscape value to the municipality.
The entire town is centred on the monastery of Rates. Its historical centre is very well preserved, and it runs to Direita street, where the nobles and the bourgeoisie of the town used to live. Test page
Architecture
- São Pedro de Rates Church (12th century building listed as National Monument)
- Pillory of Rates (listed property of public interest)
- Senhor da Praça Chapel (Baroque architecture)
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Copyrights:
Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Encyclopedia of Public Health. Copyright © 2002 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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