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1
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
ANNUAL REPORT
OP THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
for the year 1972
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in presenting my eighth annual report on
the health of the citizens of the Borough and the health services
provided.
The report is divided into four sections: vital statistics
and general services, personal health, environmental health and
school health.
I comment below on certain statistics and special items.
Statistics
The Registrar General's estimate of the population of the
borough at mid-1972 was 139,420, giving a fall of 1,130 for the year
and a flail of 7,050 since the inception of the new borough in 1965.
The birth rate is the lowest ever in the new borough, but
the percentage of illegitimate births rose slightly, although still
well below the national percentage. The infant mortality rate is
again higher than that for the previous year but also remains well
below the national average. There was no maternal death in the
borough reported during the year.
Deaths from cancer of all types rose from 394 to 418 and
those from cancer of the lung increased from 104 to 115, a rise of
10.6 per cent. Ninety-five of the lung cancer deaths were in men
and represent 42 per cent of male deaths from cancer. Deaths from
cancer of the lung are almost double those for deaths from all
accidents and violence, which totalled 63. Of 4,709 persons
X-rayed by the Mass Miniature Radiography Service in the borough
during the year, 4 persons were found to be suffering from
tuberculosis and 12 from lung cancer.