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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
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The Vital Statistics for the year, calculated on the basis of the Registrar-General's estimate of the civilian population as 60,580, are as follow:
| Bethnal Green | London | England and Wales | Bethnal Green 1947 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Rate | 18.9 | 20.1 | 17.9 | 23.0 |
| Death Rate | 10.9 | 11.6 | 10.8 | 13.8 |
| Infant Death Rate | 23.6 | 31.0 | 34.0 | 45.0 |
| Maternal Death Rate | 1.7 | — | — | 0.7 |
As was anticipated in the report for last year the
high Birth Rate was not maintained. In addition to
the 1,145 live births which compares with 1,378 for
1947 there were 24 stillbirths which formed 2% of the
total births (live and dead).
The Death Rate shows a definite decrease from the
figure for last year. Two diseases in which a welcome
fall was shown were Pulmonary Tuberculosis and
conditions affecting the heart. The Infant Death Rate
is also down and is below that both for London and
the country. As will be seen the Maternal Mortality
Rate is up and is nearer that for the year 1946.
The following table shows the causes of death and
the age and sex composition of the people who died
in the year: