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5
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
AND
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
FOR THE YEAR 1963
To the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I have the honour to present the Annual Report of the health
of the people of Croydon and the relevant services of the
Corporation for the year ending December 31st, 1963, and comment
on a few of the matters covered in greater detail in later pages.
Statistics
The increase in population continued. The birth rate rose
sharply to reach almost the levels of the peak post war years
1946 and 1947. This rise was once again partly explained by the
continuing trend of marriage at earlier ages. Thus 23% of those
giving notice of intention to marry during 1963 were under 21
years of age, in comparison with 10 years ago when the percentage
was 14. Illegitimate births reached a record figure of 9% of
total births. The infant death rate amongst these illegitimate
babies was also high, resulting in an increase in the total
infant mortality rate in comparison with last year. The general
death rate was high due to a rise in mortality throughout the
very cold early months of the year. The increase in deaths from
suicide drew comment and was a matter for investigation. No explanation
is so far forthcoming, and although national statistics
are not yet available, from reports of other areas it does not
seem that the increase was peculiar to Croydon.