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The standardised death rate (11.2 per 1000} is slightly more than
last year (10.7), mainly due to more bronchitis, pneumonia and heart disease
deaths over the age of 65.
There were 9 fatal motor vehicle accidents and 10 other accidental
deaths (2 more of each than last year), the circumstances being too varied
to permit of any useful comment. By way of compensation, however, there
was a further reduction in the death rate of infants under the age of 1 year,
which at 13.1 per 1000 live births compares very favourably with the national
average of 19.0. Again there were no maternal deaths from childbirth or
abortion, and the overall standardised death rate in the District from all
causes at 11.2 per 1000 population is below the national average of 11.7.
control of infectious diseases
Control of infectious diseases remains highly satisfactory.
Only 7 such cases were admitted to hospitals during the year, and there
were no deaths from these causes.
3,230 international vaccination certificates required by persons
travelling abroad were scrutinised and authenticated in the Department, in
accordance with Ministry of Health Regulations.
6 persons arriving in the country from endemic smallpox areas
without valid certificates of vaccination were kept under surveillance.
HEALTH EDUCATION
The efforts of the Public Health Department to provide education
and information to the public on health matters are considered to be one
of their most important functions, and have been pursued on all appropriate
occasions during the year. By courtesy of the Co-operative Permanent
Building Society, we were able to put on a window display on Accident
Prevention at their premises in High Road, Loughton, for 2 weeks in June.
This was supported by letters in the local newspapers and the distribution
of leaflets in doctors' waiting rooms, the Council Offices, old people's
clubs, and by health visitors, home helps, W.R.V. S., and other voluntary
workers. Also during the year, I accepted invitations to speak on public
health measures to the Loughton Round Table, Debden Senior Citizens' Club,
the Young Liberals, and to kitchen staff, teachers and children in several
schools.
Local organisations and individual members of the public tend
increasingly to 'phone, visit or write to the Public Health Department for
advice and information, and this is welcomed.
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