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
City of London 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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VITAL STATISTICS - BIRTHS
In press reports on the high illegitimate birth rates in 1965 in certain London Boroughs and
the methods being undertaken to overcome this by way of health education and family planning
advice, it was said that the authority with the highest rate was the City with 21.8% and the statistics
produced by the Registrar General on form S.D. 52 supported this statement.
As examined superficially, this was a disturbing state of affairs. It was decided to check the
Registrar General's figures against records in the Health Department. Table 'A' sets out the
position as it appeared at the time.
TABLE 'A'
| Live Births | Males | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Legitimate | Illegitimate | Totals | |
| Registrar General's figures as on S.D. 52 | 14 | 4 | 18 |
| Corporation figures from departmental records | 14 | 1 | 15 |
| Live Births | Females | ||
| Registrar General's figures as on S.D. 52 | 11 | 3 | 14 |
| Corporation figures from departmental records | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Totals | |||
| Registrar General's figure | 32 | 7 | |
| Corporation figure | 25 | 4 | |
| Registrar General's figure | 21.8% | ||
| Corporation figure | 16.0% | ||
Enquiries were made of the Registrar General's office as to the apparent discrepancy and
information received from there gave detailed information in respect of 29 children (against a
departmental figure of 25) and these are shown in Table 'B'
| Legitimate | Illegitimate | Totals |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | 15 |
| Females | ||
| 9 | 3 | |
Grand Total:— 27
(plus 2 illegitimate births assigned on confidential information and for which no further
information was given.)
The remaining three births were presumed to relate to registrations outside the London area
and could not be traced in the time and with the facilities available. Table 'C' sets this out.
TABLE 'C'
Revised Figures — Live Births
| Males | Totals | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Legitimate | Illegitimate | ||
| Registrar General's figures accompanied by addresses. | 14 | 1 | 15 |
| Births assigned on confidential information | – | ||
| Births presumed to relate to registrations outside London area | –_ | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 14 | 4 | |