View report page

17
It is obvious that many factors arc responsible for high infant mortality rates. The
above figures show that overcrowding is one of some importance. Since 1921 more houses
have been provided, but at the same time populations have increased. The extent to which
this has occurred in the above-mentioned Boroughs is shown below in Table B.

The above table shows that more houses have been built in St. Pancras than in the six
oilier boroughs put together, which is a matter for congratulation. There is, however,
abundant evidence that overcrowding in St. Pancras is still a serious problem. Many of the
houses built in the Borough have, in fact, done more to attract new residents than to relieve
overcrowding.
With the object of demonstrating what effect overcrowding still has on the health of
children in the Borough, an analysis has been made of the deaths of children under 5 years of
age, showing the relation of these deaths to housing conditions.
During the two years 1924 and 1925 there were 949 deaths of children under 5 years
of age in the Borough. It was possible in 434 cases to obtain particulars of the housing
conditions, and it was found that 279, or 64'3 per cent., had occurred under conditions of
overcrowding, as defined above.
If this percentage figure is compared with the figure showing the percentage of the
population living under overcrowded conditions in the census year 1921 (20*6 per cent.), the
conclusion must be drawn that a large proportion of these "deaths would not have occurred if
adequate housing accommodation could have been provided. This conclusion is borne out by
the figures given in Table C, which shows the causes of death and percentages in children
living under normal and under overcrowded conditions. Deaths from Gastro-Intestinal and
Respiratory diseases may to some extent be regarded as preventable by adequate and sanitary
housing conditions. Deaths from Developmental and other causes are not so much influenced
by this factor.