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
Hammersmith 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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(a) Population:
Once again the Registrar-General's estimate of our population shows a
decrease, the figures for 1970 of 187,980 being 4,830 less than the previous
year. The estimated population of children aged under 15 years is given
as 36,000 made up as follows:-
Under 1 year 3,240
1-4 years 11,460
5-14 years 21,300
The estimated figure for persons aged 65 years and over is given as
25,700
NATURAL INCREASE OR DECREASE OF THE POPULATION DURING THE PAST 16 YEARS
| Year | Population | Excess of Births over Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 233,300 | 852 |
| 1956 | 230,400 | 940 |
| 1957 | 227,900 | 1,162 |
| 1958 | 224,900 | 1,219 |
| 1959 | 222,200 | 1,200 |
| 1960 | 221,250 | 1,615 |
| 1961 | 219,510 | 1,611 |
| 1962 | 218,690 | 1,618 |
| 1963 | 217,360 | 1,887 |
| 1964 | 216,940 | 2,100 |
| 1965 | 215,240 | 1,975 |
| 1966 | 213,770 | 1,640 |
| 1967 | 211,720 | 1,616 |
| 1968 | 197,590 | 1,145 |
| 1969 | 192,810 | 1,009 |
| 1970 | 187,980 | 781 |
(b) Births:
The corrected number of births was 1,640 males, 1,507 females giving
a total of 3,147 compared with 3,414 in 1969. This gives an annual rate of
16.7 per thousand of the population. The actual decrease in number of 267
comprised a decrease of 162 legitimate births and 105 illegitimate births.
This decrease in illegitimate births, amounting to 20% over the previous
year, is most pleasing. The rate, however, even now is double that for
England and Wales as a whole.
(c) Deaths:
Deaths registered during the year numbered 2,436. From this figure
must be deducted 891 for non-residents transferred to their home towns.
To counter balance this must be added a total of 819 residents of the
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