meaning of "vitals"

[kjc0123]

What is the meaning of "vitals" in the following sentences?

 

They were two years old now, Simmons and Ripley, poor children given genderless last names as first names because their mother was an idiot and their father had already sired nine others before them and probably didn't care what they were called. They were boys, Ray knew that much for sure because he'd watched the vitals in the local paper�births, deaths, burglaries, etc.

[justineo]

I think it is just 'vital statistics' shortened.  As you said, births, deaths etc.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah it is short for vital statistics but that phrase doesnt mean births deths and marriages which is clearly what is the intention.

vital signs doesnt fit either.

but he is referring to the Births Deaths and marriages columns that you get in the middle of all newspapers.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I see the context in which you have the word.  I always thought that "vitals" as in "Stamp mi vitals" (Piratical) referred to the reproductive organs.

As a matter of interest(or not as the case may be) my old mother-in-law always referred to the Births, Marriages and Deaths as the Hatched, Matched and Despatched.