[Report 1972] / Medical Officer of Health, Watford U.D.C. / Borough.

  • Watford (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1972
Catalogue details

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

Credit: [Report 1972] / Medical Officer of Health, Watford U.D.C. / Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Public Health Department, Town Hall, Watford. September 1973 TO THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS Ladies and Gentlemen, Vital Statistics Taking into account the statistical variations which occur when calculating rates on relatively small populations, the vital statistics of the Borough were in line with national vital statistics. It is perhaps worthy of note that the percentage of illegitimate births was 6.02 compared with 9.1% in 1968, and this would seem to indicate that the Abortion Act is having an effect in preventing unwanted births. The total number of births decreased by over 10% compared to 1971. Heart disease, cancers and cerebrovascular disease were the main causes of death during the year and a full commentary is given in the body of the report. A large proportion of the deaths from heart disease and cancers is directly attributable to the modern way of living. That is to say, the effects of obesity, lack of physical exercise, stress and cigarette smoking. Reorganisation of the National Health Service Preparations for the reorganisation of the National Health Service have been proceeding throughout the year and on 1st April 1974 public health services, with the exception of environmental health services, will be administered by the National Health Service. This will mean that local authorities will no longer appoint medical officers of health and that the functions at present performed by the medical officer of health will be taken over by the community physician. I hope that the warm and cordial relationship which I have enjoyed with members in the past will continue under the new arrangement. Personal Health Services The report this year again includes an account of some of the functions which are the responsibility of the South West Hertfordshire Health Executive, and in it I will make reference to the problems facing the community in respect of the elderly mentally confused, the young chronic sick and alcoholism. I am grateful to members of the Council, fellow chief officers and colleagues in public health, hospital and general practice for much help, courtesy and consideration through¬ out the year. I am especially grateful to Mr. K. H. Marsden, the Chief Public Health Inspector, for his unfailing help, friendship and diligence. I have the honour to be Your obedient Servant, A. SHAW Medical Officer of Health