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1
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
ANNUAL REPORT
of the MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
and
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
for the year 1970
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
Mr. Mayor,Ladies and Gentlemen,
I present my report on the health of the citizens of the Royal
Borough for 1970, and the services proyided, including the School Health
Service. It is the sixth annual report in the life of the borough and
is the last one to include a report on the welfare services, which under
the Social Services Act 1970 are to be transferred to the new Social
Services Department in 1971, together with certain of the health services.
Statistics
The Registrar General's estimate of the population of the borough
as at mid-1970 of 142,690 shows a further reduction.
The birth rate is minimally higher than last year, against a
continuing national decline. Regrettably there was a 9 per cent increase
in the illegitimate birth rate. The infant mortality rate reached the very
low level of 10.7 compared with 13«2 in 1969 and a national average of 18.
There were no recorded maternal deaths during the year.
Cancer of the lung caused 96 deaths in the borough - almost double
the number of people who died from accidents of all types including motor
vehicle and self-inflicted injuries. The second report of the Royal College
of Physicians was published, and this repeated that premature death and
disabling diseases caused by cigarette smoking had reached epidemic proportions,
and presents the most challenging of all opportunities for
preventive medicine.
The report indicated that the level of consumption of cigarettes
by men has remained unchanged since 1961, but it is still rising in women.
It appears that smoking in schools continues to increase among girls but
not boys.