[Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Gelligaer / Gellygaer U.D.C.

  • Gelligaer (Wales). Urban District Council.
Date:
1967
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Gelligaer / Gellygaer U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/86
    PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT COUNCIL OFFICES HENGOED 15th. July, 1968. Telephone :- Hengoed 2241. TO THE chairman and members of the SGELLIGAER URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL Gentlemen, I have the honour to present my Annual Report for the year 1967. The Report is based on lines indicated in Circular l/68 ( Wales) of the Welsh Board of Health* The Report gives an account of work undertaken by the Public Health Department, together with information from the Housing Department, the Taf Fechan Water Board, and the Glamorgan County Council. As a result, statistics on the health of the Community, together with information and factors affecting health are presented. The estimated mid-year population was 34*770. There were 657 live births, and 11 still-births. Of these, 35 were illegitimate births. These figures are very similar to those for 1966* During 19&7, there were 385 deaths. Again, the chief causes of death were diseases of the heart and circulatory system, 51 males and 25 females died of coronary disease. This disease continues to be a major cause of death in middle aged men. Its aetiology is still uncertain, and several factors such as heredity,hormonal functions, lack of adequate exercise, and diet are thought to be of importance. Cancer is second in importance as a cause of death. 8 men in the area died of cancer of the lung in 1967. This is the lowest number since 1958. It is quite likely that the lowering of the incidence of cigarette smoking is responsible in part for the decline. The connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer has been known to most people for a number of years, and many have given up this dangerous habit. Bronchitis still takes a toll of life, chiefly in Wales, and this is probably attributable to industrial hazards in the area. In females, disease of the heart and arferies is also the chief cause of death, but this proves fatal at a rather later age than in males. Cancer of the stomach, breast and uterus continues to be an important cause of d°F,th in females.