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
Leyton 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF
THE BOROUGH OF LEYTON.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present herewith my Annual Report on
the health, sanitary circumstances and vital statistics of the
Borough of Leyton during the year 1949.
VITAL STATISTICS.
The Registrar-General's estimate of the population of the
Borough of Leyton during the year 1949 was 106,700 persons,
an increase of 600 persons compared with the previous year. The
last official census of population was taken in the year 1931, and
arrangements are now being made for the taking of the next
official census in 1951.
From the following figures it will be seen that the sudden post-war increase in births reached its maximum in 1947.
| Year. | Births. | Birth Rate. |
|---|---|---|
In my last Annual Report, while dealing with the exceptionally
low death rate for the year 1948, I drew attention to the progressive
increase in the expectation of life which has been taking place
during this and the last generation, the great fall in the birth rate
during the same period, and the consequent increase in the proportion
of old people in the population. If unchecked, these
factors—which have brought about such a fundamental change in
the age constitution of the population—must inevitably give rise
to an increase in the general death rate.
to an increase in the general death rate. Deaths of Leyton residents
certified during the year numbered 1,232, giving a death rate of
11.54 per thousand of tho population.