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11
Comparison
of vital
statistics of
London and
New York
It is useful to compare the vital statistics of London and New York. This is
done in the following table for the years 1942-43-44, and in this connection due
regard should be given to the differences of climate. Although London is in a higher
latitude, its climate is temperate, while that of New York is subject to extremes of
cold in winter and heat in summer. This has a bearing on the differences in morbidity
of certain diseases; in the case of infectious diseases differences in periodicity of
epidemics between the two cities must also be allowed for.
The chief points of interest are :—
Population—The population of the City of New York at present is about three
times that of the County of London.
Birth-rate—The London rate seems at present to be increasing while that of
New York has fallen since 1943, the rates for the two cities being 16-9 (London)
and 17-4 (New York) in 1942, and 18-1 and 16-0, respectively, in 1944.
Death-rate—The death-rate (all causes) for London is about 50 per cent, higher
than that for New York, but allowances must be made for air-raid deaths in the
former.
Infant mortality—That for London is about 70 per cent, above the rate for
New York.
Maternal mortality—This appears to be about the same for both cities.
Infectious diseases—The case mortality of cerebro-spinal fever is increasing at
present in London, and decreasing in New York. Diphtheria is on the decrease in
both cities; allowing for the difference in population, however, this disease is at
present above fifteen times more prevalent in London with a slightly lower case
mortality on the average for the three years in question.
Poliomyelitis case mortality is greater in London, as is also that of whoopingcough.
Accidents—The accident death rate, including street accidents, is about the
same in both cities.
Appendicitis—The mortality is nearly the same in both.
Cancer—In London the cancer mortality is about 40 per cent, higher than that
of New York; the rate, however, in London showed a decrease in 1944 on the
previous year for the first time since records have been kept, while in New York
the mortality was still on the up-grade.
Diabetes—The mortality from this disease in London is only 25 per cent, of that
in New York.
Influenza—As will be seen from the table, the death-rate of this disease is much
higher in London.
Tuberculosis—The mortality from pulmonary tuberculosis in London is about
twice, while that from other forms is between three and four times, that in New York. c