[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hounslow].

  • Hounslow (London, England). Council.
Date:
[1973?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hounslow]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/90 (page 13)
    Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1972 Vital Statistics Area and Population The London Borough of Hounslow covers an area of 14,469 acres and contains an estimated population of 206,460 people. There were 2,893 live births compared with 2,258 deaths giving a natural increase of 635 persons. The research and intelligence unit of the Greater London Council provides estimated populations of all London boroughs by age groups and those for Hounslow are disease (130) or cancer (131). Of the 187 female deaths — again two thirds were ascribed to cancer (56) or heart disease (45). These 505 men and women formed almost a quarter of all deaths in Hounslow most of whom would otherwise still be 'gainfully employed', at home rearing a family and others looking forward to some years of retirement. It is a sad reflection in this day and age of high levels of national and local taxation with so much being spent on the diagnostic and curative family doctor and hospital services together with the local authority preventive health services, that so many people should continued to be subject to what can only be regarded as premature death. Mid year Age in years Under 1 1 - 4 5- 14 15 - 64 65 and over all ages No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 1970 3,230 1.6 12,870 6.3 27,900 13.7 134,980 66.0 25,400 12.4 204,380 1971 3,510 1.7 13,220 6.4 28,300 13.7 135,940 65.8 25,780 12.4 206,650 1972 3,000 1.5 12,000 5.8 29,800 14.4 135,160 65.5 26,505 12.8 206,460 Since the borough was formed in 1965 the number of live births has exceeded the number of deaths by 8,819 but despite this the Registrar General estimates that during the same period the local population has decreased by 1,090 which suggests a net outward migration of some 9,274 people to other areas. Live births The number of live births registered during the year was 2,893 (1,516 male and 1,377 famale) giving a crude live birth rate of 14.0 for 1,000 population. Apart from other causes, both birth and death rates will vary according to the age and sex distribution of the population and so to enable a valid comparison with other areas, the Registrar General provides area comparability factors. When the birth comparability factor of 0.93 is applied, the borough's live birth rate becomes 13.0 which is 1.8 below that for England and Wales. Compared with 1971 the rate for Hounslow decreased slightly and is similar to the experience for the whole country. There were 245 illegitimate live births, 33 less than last year which gives an illegitimate live birth rate of 8 per cent of total live births which is 1% lower than that for England and Wales. Stillbirths Stillbirths numbered 40 which is 7 more than last year. Deaths During the year 2,258 deaths were registered, 45 more than for 1971. The adjusted death rate was 11.2 which is a little less than that for the whole country. Included in the 1,167 total male deaths are 319 occurring between the ages of 45 and 64 — early to late middle age. Over two thirds succumbed either to heart Infant Mortality There were 52 infants who died before reaching the age of one year; 28 were male and 24 female. The infant mortality rate was 18 per 1,000 live births compared with a rate of 17 for the country as a whole. The illegitimate infant mortality rate was 16 which is 5 per 1,000 less than for England and Wales. Infectious Diseases International certificates of vaccination and inoculation against smallpox, yellow fever and cholera. Applications for authentication dealth with by the medical officer of health numbered 8703 compared with 8600 for 1971 and 7365 during 1970. 13 The number of corrected notifications of infectious diseases received during the year compared with previous years are summarised overleaf.