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8
Any causes of Sickness or Invalidity which have been
specially noteworthy in the Borough during the year;
and any Conditions of Occupation or Environment which
appear to have had a prejudicial effect on Health.
Heart Disease, as in former years, again is responsible for
the largest number of deaths from any one cause, although 1932
saw a decrease of 62 deaths as compared with 1931, namely; 267
against 329. As I have commented on this fact in my last two
reports, it is not proposed to comment any further on this matter.
Cancer again was responsible for a higher number of deaths
than the previous year; 234 against 183. Reference is made to
this disease at a later stage of the report.
Births.
The number of live births registered during the year was
2,062 as compared with 2,045 for 1931. The birth rate was 14.5
or .2 above that for the previous year.
As is well known, the number of births has been steadily
declining all over the country for the past 24 years and East Ham
has followed the same tendency. In 1914, the rate for the Borough
was 24.0, and with the exception of 1920, when there was a sharp
jump in the rate to 23.2, it has steadily declined to its present
level.
Deaths.
I have pleasure in recording a decreased number of deaths
for 1932, 1,456, as compared with 1,526 for 1931. The rate was
10.2 or .4 below that of the previous year. As I have previously
pointed out, East Ham is normally a healthy borough, and during
my 24 years service with you the death rate (except in times of
epidemic) has varied very slightly.
In this report the table "Causes of Death in Age Groups"
has been enlarged to show the causes under various groups of
diseases. Of these sections, on reference to the table concerned,
it will be seen that the following five groups were responsible
for 74 per cent. of the total deaths :—