London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Brentford and Chiswick 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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The worst slums of the Borough had been cleared by the end of 196 3 and
although there is still some sub-standard property and overcrowding in homes,
the steady improvement over the years continues, but housing for the needy, for
the aged, for the infirm and for the improvident remains, and will continue to
remain, amatter of deep concern to the Medical Officer of Health because of the
risks to health and to life itself involved.
During the year the Home Safety Sub-Committee discussed many matters re
levant to the prevention of home accidents,, and in addition the health education
of the public was continuous with regard to safe living, A number of
authorities were approached and improvements suggested in building and design
of equipment to make households safer.
The Smoke Control programme proceeded normally. 697 acres of the Borough
were smoke controlled and 165 acres were under Smoke Control Order confirmed
but not operative, at the end of 1963.
The World Health Organisation suggests as a health indicator for any area,
a comparison of the percentage of total deaths at age 50 compared with previous
years.
The comparison of the Annual Reports of 1913 and 1963 would give a very interesting health indicator of this type, but the statistics in the two urban district Reports of that time do not provide this figure, However, an interest ing comparison can be made between the proportion of persons who did not live beyond the age of 25 in the two years, with half a century between, and also those who died before the age of 65.
| 1913 | 1 963 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Total deaths | Age | Total deaths |
| Under 1 | 137 | Under 1 | 14 |
| 1 - 5 | 70 | 1 5 | 4 |
| 5 - 15 | 39 | 5-15 | - |
| 15 25 | 24 | 15 - 25 | 2 |
| 25 - 65 | 197 | 25 - 65 | 200 |
| Over 65 | 209 | Over 65 | 459 |
| 676 | 679 | ||
It will be seen that in 1913, 40% died under the age of 25 and in 1963
2,9% died under the age of 25, while 69% died under the age of 65 in 1913 and
32% in 1963. The great change in the expectation of life for a child born in
Brentford and Chiswick is very clearly visible in these figures.
Once again I would like to thank all who have helped with the preparation
of this Report by providing information or statistics.
My thanks are also due to all the loyal and energetic members of the staff
of the Public Health Department to whom the citizens of the Borough owe a great
deal, since from day to day they quietly and unostentatiously keep alert and
busy to help to maintain good health and hygiene in our district.
I am Your Worship Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Maigant h. Hall
Medical Officer of Health
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