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ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
for the year 1962
To The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Borough of Hendon
Madam Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Report for the year 1962.
The health statistics were good in 1962. It is a pleasure to report that there
has been no increase in lung cancer for the last two years, but this is probably a
matter of statistical good fortune rather than any real reduction in the progress of
this unpleasant disease. There is little evidence of any decrease in cigarette
smoking, except perhaps in the medical profession, and there is an unfortunate
impression that the age of onset of the addiction is being gradually lowered,
especially amongst those who become wage earners as soon as they reach school leaving
age. In the course of time such a trend must lead inevitably to an earlier onset of
the disease.
The smallpox scare at the beginning of the year caused considerable anxiety,
especially as it was associated with the immigration of people from Pakistan, whose
lack of literacy and frequent change of address made for administrative difficulty
in contact tracking. No case occurred in Hendon, but vaccination was required by
those who wished to satisfy the requirements of continental countries, by those
proceeding to parts of the United Kingdom where mass vaccination was in practice,
and others. As a result of the enthusiasm for vaccination about 1/5 of the population
was vaccinated, and this should help to maintain the state of our herd immunity
for some years to come.
The surveillance of smallpox contacts drew attention to the extent of immigration
from Pakistan, and the varied housing conditions of the immigrants. The
Housing Act 1961 gives the Council powers to deal with "houses in multiple occupation"
so that reasonable living conditions can be obtained, but, unfortunately,
that part of the Act which will enable local authorities to require, with the
consent of the Minister of Housing and Local Government, compulsory registration of
such houses does not come into operation until 1964.
It is hoped that the Government's plans for "area improvements" will provide
better housing conditions in houses which are structually sound but lacking in
certain essential amenities i.e. bath or shower in a bathroom, wash basin, hot
water supply, internal water-closet and ventilated food store. Under the scheme,
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