London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Richmond upon Thames 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
This page requires JavaScript
POPULATION
The Registrar General's estimate of mid-year population for the Borough was 176,600, which is a decrease of 530 compared with 1968. The natural increase (excess if births over deaths) was 221.
| Year | Population | Population trend | Migration excess | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total increase or decrease | Percentage proportion | Natural increase or decrease | Inward | Outward | ||
| 1965 | 181,130 | - 950 | -0.52% | + 658 | - | 1,608 |
| 1966 | 180,200 | - 930 | -0.51% | + 432 | — | 1,362 |
| 1967 | 179,040 | - 1,160 | - 0.64% | + 404 | — | 1,564 |
| 1968 | 177,130 | - 1,910 | -1-15% | + 140 | — | 2,050 |
| 1969 | 176,600 | - 530 | -0.42% | + 221 | - | 751 |
BIRTHS
During the year 2,499 live births were registered (an increase of 71 compared
with 1968) giving a live birth rate of 14.15 per 1,000 of the population or 14.29 when
adjusted by the birth comparability factor. The latter makes allowances for differences
in the age and sex distribution of the population throughout the country. The birth
rate for England and Wales was 16.3.
DEATHS
The number of deaths registered in 1969 was 2,278 (a decrease of 10 compared
with 1968) giving a death rate of 12.89 per 1,000 of the population or 10.70 when
adjusted by the comparability factor. The death rate for England and Wales was 11.9.
The table on pages 10 and 11 shows the distribution of deaths by age and cause.
Main Causes of Death
An analysis of the death returns reveals the following main causes of death:
| Disease | Percentage of total deaths | Death rate per 1,000 of the population |
|---|---|---|
| Diseases of heart and circulatory system | 38.76 | 5.00 |
| Cancer | 23.52 | 3.03 |
| Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases | 12.86 | 1.65 |
| Vascular lesions of nervous system | 11.63 | 1.50 |
| Accidents, Violence | 2.89 | 0.37 |
INFANT MORTALITY
During the year there were 44 deaths of infants under one year of age, an increase
of 6 on the previous year. The infant mortality rate was 17.60 per 1,000 live births
compared with 18.00 for England and Wales.
An analysis of the causes of death is shown on page 9.
A major proportion of the deaths— 79.5% — occurred in the first four weeks of
life. As expected prematurity, bronchitis and bronchopneumonia, respiratory distress
syndrome, etc., took a high toll.
MATERNAL MORTALITY
There were no recorded maternal deaths during the year.
8