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THE HEALTH REPORT OP COULSDON AND PURLEY FOR 1941.
INTERIM REPORT.
V I T A L S T A T I S T I C S,
BIRTHS.
The annual Birth Rate for 1941 was 12.6 per thousand of
population, as compered with 12.3 last year, and 13.5, 13,4 and
12.3 in the preceding three years.
Nationally the Birth Rate as 14.2.
The fall in the Birth Rate locally during the last two
years undoubtedly reflected the voluntary evacuation from the
District of a large proportion of the population having or
expecting the care of young children during the period of air
attack.
This showed a tendency to return to normal during the
second half of the year, 1941.
The percentage of the total births which ere illegitimate
was 5.7, which was the average percentage locally during the last
war and twice that in 1929-34. The loca1 stillbirth rat was
0.42 per thousand of population, as compered with 0.35 last year
and 0.51 for England and Wales.
DEATHS.
The crude Path Rate for the year was equal to 11.6 per
thousand of population, as compared a with 11.5 last year, and 8.9,
7.9 8.5 and 8.5 in the preceding four years.
The crude Death Rates in England and Wales were 12.9 in
1941, 14.3 in 1940 and 11.9 in 1939.
Of the Deaths vhich occurred in Coulsdon and Purley,
57 per cent. were in persons over 65 years of age compared with
the average of 53 per cent, for the five years ending 1939 and
45 per cent for the five years 1926-30. The present figure
is not really comparable owing to the absence of younger persons
in the Services, and increasing longevity should not be deduced
there from.
C A U S E S O F D E A T H.
HEART & CI CIRCULATORY DISEASE.
The percentage of deaths due to heart and othercirculatory
diseases was rather less than last year, constituting
under two-fifths of the total deaths. It is always hoped that
the number of deaths in this group of causes will increase
relatively as it includes so many dying from what is virtually
old age.
This year 80 per cent. were over 65 years of age at the
tine of death and 47 per cent. over 75 years.
CANCER.
The Cancer death rate was 1.92 per thousand of population
in 1941, compare. with 1.45 last year and 1.58 in 1939.
This increase probably reflects in part the absence of
certain of the younger sections of the population.
VIOLENCEc
Deaths from Violence (including Suicide) decreased during
1941, the death rate per thousand of population being 0.75
compared with 1.18 last year and 0.49 for each of the preceding
the years.
Of the deaths from Violence other than Suicide only 4
were due to road accidents, while 14 were due to direct and two
to indirect enemy action.