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
Bethnal Green 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
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| Per 1,000 of the population | Bethnal Green | London | England & Wales | Bethnal Green 1945 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Rate | 22.6 | 21.5 | 19.1 | 17.9 |
| Death Rate | 13.3 | 12.7 | 11.5 | 14.1 |
| Infant Death Rate | 41.3 | 41 | 43 | 29.2 |
| Maternal Death Rate | 1.5 | 1.43 | — | 1.1 |
Taking these in turn, the most striking is the increased
Birth Rate which is the highest reached in
the borough since 1924 and is a natural consequence
of the large scale demobilisation of the armed forces
which took place in the latter part of 1945 and beginning
of 1946. In addition to the 1,306 live births,
there were 36 stillbirths which formed 2.7% of the
total births (live and dead).
The Death Rate although lower than that of recent
years is higher than the pre-war average, probably
due to the altered age composition of the
population. While the Infant Death Rate is higher
than that for the preceding year, which was a record
low one, it is on the whole satisfactory, being little
more than half the pre-war average. Similar remarks
apply to the Maternal Mortality Rate.
Owing to the very abridged character of the
Annual Report during the war years, the mortality
in the borough has not been shown in detail but in
view of its importance I have deemed it advisable
to include the following table this year: