Annual report of the Medical Health Officer / City of Winnipeg.

  • Winnipeg (Man.). Health Department.
Date:
[1967]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical Health Officer / City of Winnipeg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/158
    R. G. CADHAM, M.D., D.P.H., C.R.C.P.(C.) medical health officer p. CONST AN TINIDIS, M.D., C.R.C.P,(C.) DEPUTY MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. CIVIC CENTRE, WINNIPEG 2, MANITOBA OUR FILE NO._ June 27, 1968. Chairman and Members, Committee on Public Health and Welfare. Madam and Gentlemen, I have the honour to present the Annual Report of the City Health Department for the year 1967. The year was essentially a healthy one for the citizens with no major illness of any proportion. The birth rate declined to 17.9 per thousand popula¬ tion, which is the lowest recorded since 1944. The infant mortality rate increased from 17.6 to 21.1 per thousand, and although this is below the Canadian average, it is unfortunate. In the main, this increase was due to the increase in deaths from immaturity. The illegitimate rate remained the same as for the previous year,, being 16.37> of the total births. As was the case last year, it would appear that this high percentage of illegi¬ timate births is due to the fact that unwed mothers come to Winnipeg to be delivered and give a Winnipeg address as their home. Cancer of the lung continued as the leading cause of cancerous deaths in males, and cancer of the breast the leading cause of cancerous deaths in females. , This is re¬ grettable as cancer in both these sites is largely preventable. The incidence of infectious hepatitis decreased with only fifty-two cases being recorded, and is the least number of cases to occur for many years. In this regard we are fortunate as this disease has increased in incidence rather than decreased in many other parts of the continent. Sixty new cases of active tuberculosis were discovered compared to 67 in the previous year. There were 12 tuberculosis deaths with the majority of these occurring in the older age group. Over 27,000 inoculations were given for the prevention of the common communicable diseases. Fourteen thousand dental appointments were kept in the School Dental Services. Eighteen thousand tuberculin tests were carried out in conjunction with the Manitoba Sanatorium Board in our tuberculosis control program. More than 90,000 pupils were referred or sought advice from the Public Health Nurses during the year. Over 44,000 pupils in the School System were tested for myopia, and 8,900 pupils were given audiometric tests. The attendance at the Expectant Mothers Classes again increased.