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
Lambeth 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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9
Vital Statistics
The population of the Borough of Lambeth for the year 1948
has been estimated by the Registrar General to be 226,600, which
is greater by 2,930 than the official estimated population of 1947.
The following table shows both actual numbers and the
percentages of total deaths in the various age groups. It is of
interest to note that the number of deaths in the age period 65
and over was more than 62 per cent. of the total deaths. The
prolongation of life brings into greater prominence the difficulties
facing old people who have lost their near at hand relatives and
friends and are all alone in the world. Their numbers are still
increasing year by year and their problems likewise.
The principal causes of death were heart disease which claimed 707 or 28.19 per cent. of the total deaths, and cancer 488 or 19.46 per cent., and influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia 308 or 12.28 per cent.
| All ages | 0-1 | 1-5 | 5-15 | 15-45 | 45-65 | 65 and over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,508 | 118 | 29 | 12 | 198 | 585 | 1,566 |
| 100 per cent. | 4.70 per cent. | 1.16 per cent. | 0.48 per cent. | 7.89 per cent. | 23.33 per cent. | 62.44 per cent. |
During the year the number of births corrected by inward and
outward transfers was 4,311, giving a corrected birth rate of 19.02,
compared with 23.10 in 1947, a decrease of 4.08 per 1,000
population.
Maternal Mortality
The maternal mortality is expressed as the number of deaths
attributed to puerperal and post-abortive sepsis and other maternal
causes for each 1,000 live births. Maternal deaths numbered 1,
giving a rate of 0.23, compared with 1.51 in 1947.