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Infant Death Rate - This rate for 1970 was 21.5 (18 in the
previous year). The rates for Inner London,, Greater London and for
England and Wales were respectively 20.4, 17.8 and 18.
Neo-natal and Early Neo-natal Deaths - The rates for both
categories showed an increase to 36 and 29 respectively,, compared with
29 and 24 in 1969. Of these deaths a half took place grossly
prematurely and it may be assumed before twenty-six weeks and the foetus
was viable. It is impossible to assign a cause with certainty but
prematurity is often due to stress in pregnancy and in my view the
following were contributory, if not causal factors, in many cases.
Unsuitable employment of the mother which is too far from her home,
working too late in pregnancy, a diet which is often not satisfactory
and too much being expected of the mother by the husband in the way
of financial support.
Maternal Death Rate - One maternal death occured giving a rate
of .39 per 1,000 live and stillbirths. Of the 7 maternal deaths
recorded in the six years from 1965, including this maternal death,
five were abortions of which certainly three were induced. Rates
excluding deaths due to abortion are for Inner London 0.25 and Greater
London 0.17.
Illegitimate Births - The rate per 1,000 live births is 160 as
against 194 last year. There has been a marked reduction following the
much slower reduction in rate over recent years. Whilst it is not
possible to be certain of the cause it is reasonable to assume that
this results from contraception (mainly the pill) and wider facilities
for termination of pregnancy operating to eliminate "high risk" unwanted
pregnancies with a higher proportion of wanted babies born to
couples in stable cohabitation.
Infectious Diseases
No specially note-worthy cases were recorded.
Health Education
Without good communication there can be no effective health
education and in this connection it is pleasing to note that in 1970
the highest number of talks (1,451) to the largest aggregate audience
(15,64l) were recorded since 1965, an increase of some 25% over the
previous year. These talks have ranged from frequent friendly chats
to small groups of mothers in health centres to more formal addresses
to larger gatherings. Whilst it is true that the officers taking part
are from a wide range of disciplines, the department's health visitors
may reflect with satisfaction that they have been responsible for some
83 per cent of them.
Improvement Grants
This is the first full year in which the provisions of the
Housing Act 1969 have been operative and a significant increase in the
number of improvement (discretionary) grants has resulted. Approval
was given to 704 grants amounting to £649,006 compared with 246 grants
amounting to £76,651 in the previous year. The marked increase is a
direct reflection of the impetus given by the new Act. Judging from
the number of inquiries received before the end of the year the total
number of grants approved is likely to be exceeded in 1971.