London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Merton and Morden 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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The comparable rate determined by the application of
the areal comparability factor (A.C.F.) of 1.21 to allow for
age and sex differences of the population was 8.9. This is
the figure which should be compared with that for England
and Wales which was 12.4.
Seasonal mortality is indicated by the deaths for each
quarter of the year, which were:—-
First quarter 154—second quarter 103—third quarter 91
—fourth quarter 137.
The following table shows the death rates for each ward
and the mean age at death:—
TABLE III.
Ward Death Rates and Mean
| Wards | Deaths | Death Rate (crude) | Mean age at death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey | 42 | 9.6 | 60.95 yrs. |
| Bushey Mead | 85 | 11.1 | 58.49 „ |
| Central | 38 | 4.7 | 54.47 „ |
| Morden | 31 | 6.9 | 46.61 „ |
| Park | 83 | 8.4 | 56.09 ., |
| Ravensbury | 52 | 6.9 | 46.92 „ |
| Raynes Park | 40 | 6.1 | 56.90 „ |
| St. Helier ... | 61 | 5.2 | 46.49 „ |
| West Barnes | 53 | 8.0 | 55.96 „ |
| Whole District | 485 | 7.2 | 54.06 yrs. |
The wards with the higher mean ages at death are the
oldest from the point of view of development, and the variation
in these figures is in accord with the probable average
age of the respective ward populations.
The mean age at death for the whole district for the
last four years was as follows:—
1934—48.3 yrs.; 1935—52.7 yrs.; 1936—54.5 yrs.;
1937—54.0 yrs.
Deaths in Institutions. Approximately half the deaths
took place in hospitals and institutions, the actual number
being 251, which represents 51% of the total. They occurred
in the following institutions:—
15