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Of the deaths which occurred in Coulsdon and Purley
56% were in persons over 65 years of age, compared with 57% last
year and averages of 53$ in the five years ending 1939 and
45% for the quinquennial period 1926-30.
The present figure is not really comparable owing to
the absence of an increasing proportion of younger persons in
the Services.
CAUSES OF DEATH.
HEART & CIRCULATORY DISEASE.
The percentage of deaths due to heart and other
circulatory diseases was slightly more than last year, being
about two-fifths of the total deaths.
It is always hoped that the number of deaths in this
group of causes will increase relatively as it includes so
many dying from what is virtually old age.
This year were 65 years of age and over at the
time of death and 46% were 75 years and over, both figures being
slightly less than in 1941.
CANCER.
The cancer death rate was 1.74 per thousand of
population in 1942, compared with 1.92 in 1941, 1.45 in 1940
and. 1.58 in 1939. While there is an improvement this year,
the general tendency to increase probably reflects in part the
absence of certain of the younger sections of the population.
VIOLENCE.
Deaths from Violence, including Suicide, decreased
considerably during 1942, the death rate per 1,000 of population
being 0.40 compared with 0.75 in 1941, 1.18 in 1940 and 0.49 in
each of the preceding two years.
Of the deaths from violence other than suicide only
4 were due to road accidents (2 pedestrians, 1 cyclist and
1 motorist) while only 2 were due to enemy action (these
occuring away from this District).
The death .rate from Suicide was 10 per 100,000
population compared with 17, 11 and 14 in the preceding 5 years
and averages of 11 and 12 in the two decades 1915-24 and 1925-34.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
The maternal mortality rate was 1.10 per 1,000 total
births, compared with 1.68 last year.
The corresponding rates for England and Wales were
2.01 in 1942 and 2.23 in 1941.
INFANT MORTALITY.
The infant mortality rate was 45 per 1,000
registered births, compared with 52 37, 43 and 51 in the
preceding four years. The corresponding rates for England and
Wales were 49 in 1942 and 59, 55 and 50 in the preceding three
years. The rate for 1942 was the lowest ever experienced
nationally.
While the local, infant mortality rate was slightly below
the average for recent years there is still a possibility of
considerable improvement, particularly by the avoidance of
respiratory infections, a third of the infant deaths being due