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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
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| Bethnal Green | London | England and Wales | Bethnal Green 1940 | ||
| Birth Rate | 28.0 | 22.7 | 20.5 | 22.6 | |
| Death Rate | 13.8 | 12.8 | 12.0 | 13.3 | |
| Infant Death Rate | 45.0 | 37.0 | 41.0 | 41.3 | |
| Maternal Death Rate | 0.7 | — | 1.17 | 1.4 | |
Last year's high Birth Rate has been slightly increased
but there are signs that it has reached its
peak. In addition to the 1,378 live births, there were
36 stillbirths which formed 2.5% of the total births
(live and dead).
The Death Rate shows a slight increase over last
year and is higher than the pre-war average, probably
influenced by the altered age composition of the
population. Two diseases mainly account for the
increased deaths over 1946, Pulmonary Tuberculosis
and Cancer. The Infant Death Rate is also higher
than that for the preceding year, but is substantially
lower than the pre-war average. As will be seen the
Maternal Mortality Rate is not only lower than in
1946, but also compares very favourably with the rate
for the country as a whole.
The following table shows the causes of death and
the age and sex composition of the people who died
in the year:—