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PREFACE
To: The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich.
MR. MAYOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I have pleasure in submitting the 63rd Annual Report on the
Health of the Borough of Woolwich. The Report is on the general
lines indicated by the Minister of Health.
During the past decade there has been little movement in the
population of the Borough, which was confirmed at the Census in
1961 at 146,603. The estimated population for the year 1963 was
148,690.
A gradual rise in the Woolwich birth rate has taken place
during the past seven years, the adjusted birth rate for 1963 being
15.6, compared with that- for the County of London of 20.0.
Similarly, the local death rate has risen due to a rise in the year
of 210 in the total deaths occurring. The adjusted death rate for
1963 was l3.0, compared with 11.4 for the year 1962. The previous
excellent infant death rate for Woolwich, however, was not maintained,
the rate increasing from 19.5 in 1962 to 28.9 in 1963. There were
altogether 62 infant deaths, being the highest total 3ince 1951.
The cause is not obviously apparent and too much weight must not be
given to a single year especially when the total numbers involved
are relativexy small. The greatest single cause of infant deaths,
both locally and nationally, is now prematurity and research to
lessen its incidence continues. Seventeen of the infant deaths
resulted from prematurity, ten from pneumonia, 14 from congenital
malformation, and the remainder from various other causes. The
number of stillbirths registered was 38. However, only one maternal
death was recorded.
It is regretted that 27 Woolwich residents died from motor vehicle
accidents, 13 of the fatalities involving pedestrians and including
three boys and ten elderly people. A further 23 deaths were due to
other accidents, 17 of these being home accidents. By intensive
publicity, the Council is taking every opportunity to bring to the
notice of the general public the dangers from home and road accidents.
The year 1963 saw an appreciable extension in the work of the
Health Department, particularly in the further services being made
available for old people. The many and varied problems relating to
their welfare calls for a good deal of co-operation with other health
and welfare workers. The number of old people known to the Council's
Visitors as needing the help of the health and welfare services now
2