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

Haringey 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]

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Table: Over the past five years the actual numbers of babies between age 1 week and 1 year who have died in the Borough are as follows:—

Over the past five years the actual numbers of babies between age 1 week and 1 year who have died in the Borough are as follows:—

19681969197019711972
4347444734
M25F18M22F25M28F16M23F24M23F11

Table: The number of births, however, has been steadily declining, as follows: —

The number of births, however, has been steadily declining, as follows: —

19681969197019711972
5,1204,7534,3424,2053,800
When the deaths are expressed as the rate per 1,000 births the rising trend from 1968-1971 is very clear —
8.399.8810.1311.188.16

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This trend prompted an investigation and a study has been made of several factors surrounding the deaths of
these babies. The cause of death as stated on the death certificate was studied, also the birth weight, the place
in the family, the social class according to the occupation of the father, and the nationality of the mother.
The most interesting facts which have emerged from this are the differences in death rates according to the
nationality of the mother. When each year is taken separately the numbers in each national group are small and
may be misleading and so rates have been calculated covering the four years 1969-1972. 1968 has been
omitted because the nationality was not routinely recorded in that year.
The five main national groups in the Borough are as follows:—
United Kingdom
West Indian
African
Eire
Cypriot

Table: Here are the number of births in each group, with the deaths written below: —

Here are the number of births in each group, with the deaths written below: —

Nationality1969197019711972Totals
United Kingdom2,2951,8691,8521,5847,600
231513960
West Indian7215775644942,456
39121135
African229186182149746
636318
Eire4063903652791,440
633416
Cypriot4154313553811,582
154313

Table: From these figures the death rates of infants between 1 week and 1 year from 1969-1972 according to the nationality of the mother are: —

From these figures the death rates of infants between 1 week and 1 year from 1969-1972 according to the nationality of the mother are: —

United Kingdom7.89 deaths per 1,000 births
West Indian14.85 ,, ,, ,, ,,
African24.12 ,, ,, ,, ,,
Eire11.11 ,, ,, ,, ,,
Cypriot8.21 ,, ,, ,, ,,

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These differences are striking. It would be interesting to know if other Boroughs have the same experience.
The facts will be reported to local and national medical authorities and consideration given to what further
investigation or other action should be taken.
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