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5
TO THE MAYOR ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF
THE BOROUGH OF WALTHAMSTOW
MR MAYOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I beg to present my report upon the health of Walthamstow for
the Year 1962.
The preliminary report on the census taken in 1961 was published
in January. It confirms the trends revealed in the yearly estimations
of population. It shows a reduction of 10.2 per cent in the
lalthamstow population since the 1951 census.
In the same period the number of households decreased by 4.8
per cent, while the number of dwellings increased by 7 per cent.
It is tempting to try to evaluate the changing social pattern
on the evidence so far obtained but the information is insufficient
for any worth while deductions. The only certain facts are that
there is a decline of population and an increase in the number of
dwellings. We must await the publication of the full report on
the census which will give detailed information with regard to
household amenities, basic standards, densities, occupation per
room, etc.
With the coming of the Re-organisation of Local Government
in Greater London Walthamstow will merge with neighbouring boroughs
to form one independent administrative area. It seems, therefore,
an appropriate time to take stock and, for a moment, to glance
backwards over the past 50 years of Public Health in Walthamstow.
Such an exercise, apart from being of intense historical interest,
can teach us many lessons.
Dr. Poole has very competently reviewed this period. This
follows in the report entitled "Five Decades of Life and Death in
Walthamstow" . It reveals a satisfactory reduction in incidence
and mortality and in some cases an almost complete disappearance
of infectious diseases. Infant mortality has declined over the
years and the expectation of life has been prolonged.
Local Authorities can rightly congratulate themselves on the
significant part that they have played in this process. But let
us not be complacent. This very success has produced its own
challenges, especially amongst the increasing numbers of the elderly
and the greater survival rate among premature infants, in which
a great number of defects and handicaps are found. There is also
the advance of the venereal diseases.