View report page

Wanstead & Woodford Borough Council
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMAN AND COUNCILLORS,
BOROUGH OF WANSTEAD AND WOODFORD
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the Health Services
in the Borough for the year 1962. This is the eighteenth report
which I have compiled. As in former years details of the personal health
services under the National Health Service Act, 1946, Part III, which
was administered by the Essex County Council Health Committee, are
included. A short account of the School Health Service is also
included.
Vital Statistics
Birth Rate. The total number of births was 844, an increase of 43 over
the previous year. Birth rate per 1,000 of the population increased from
13.07 to 13.8. As one would expect in a Borough with an ageing
population and no large housing estates the birth rate was considerably
lower than that for the country as a whole, which was 18.0.
Death Rate. The total number of deaths was 764 and the highest aver
recorded, showing an increase of 41 over the 1961 figure and of 26
over 1960. Death rate per 1,000 population was 12.5 compared with
11.9 for England and Wales.
Infant Mortality Rate, i.e. the deaths of infants under one year per
1,000 live births was 20.2. This contrasts with last year's figure of 17.5
and with that for England and Wales of 21.6. Although the increase is
disappointing, owing to the small numbers involved, it cannot be
regarded as materially significant and is still below the national rate.
Causes of Death
As is usual, the commonest causes of death were diseases of the
heart and arteries, and cancer. Deaths from cancer numbered 158, an
increase of 21 over 1961 but only one more than the 1960 figure. There
were 37 deaths from lung cancer (28 in 1961), 142 persons died as a
result of coronary thrombosis (135 in 1961). Motor vehicle accidents
numbered 7 and there were 4 cases of suicide (9 in 1961).
Infectious Disease
The incidence of infectious disease was exceptionally low. No cases of
poliomyelitis were reported. There were 251 cases of measles (773 in
1961). Only 7 cases of whooping cough were notified (13 in 1961).
A few years ago the incidence of this disease was high and there were
serious complications in young children. Now, thanks to immunisation,
whooping cough seems to be disappearing.
An outbreak of food poisoning confined to a single family was found
to be due to staphylococci in a can of rice pudding. The Council
prosecuted the vendors on whom the magistrates imposed a fine of £20.
1