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birth or in association with pregnancy.
The infant mortality rate was below the average for the
rest of the country for the second year in succession, although
sudden unexplained deaths in the first year of life still give
cause for concern. An investigation into the epidemiology of
infant deaths between the ages of one month and twelve months,
covering the three years 1967 to 1969 was undertaken during
1970 and a report published.
The largest single cause of deaths in adults was again disease
of the heart and blood vessels. The best way for an individual to
avoid these conditions is to be a non-smoker, keep slim, and
take regular exercise. The next greatest cause of death was lung
cancer and bronchitis; also closely associated with the smoking
of cigarettes.
Our community would be fitter, healthier and longer lived
if larger numbers could be persuaded to give up smoking. The
only other way for this toll of illness and death to be reduced
would be the development of a safe cigarette; and there is not
the slightest sign of this happening. National figures show that
increasing numbers of men are giving up smoking, particularly
the professional and managerial groups, but the number of women
smokers continues to increase. The cigarette advertisers are
aware of these findings and currently seem to be concentrating
their publicity on young women. This must be countered. Apart
from all other harm the damage caused by cigarette smoking to
the unborn child is now well documented and must be made more
widely known.
Immunisation and Vaccination:
Over 90% of infants received their primary protection against
diphtheria, poliomyelitis and tetanus; whooping cough protection
levels were nearly as high; but less than 50% of young children
were immunised against measles. Measles causes a lot of misery
and carries a definite risk of serious complications. If protection
rates of 75% of the susceptible population of children could be
achieved the disease would be eradicated.
Immunisation against rubella (German measles) was introduced
during the year. This is available to girls between the ages
2