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6
DEATHS
The total number of deaths was 2,955, giving a crude death rate of 10.0 per thousand population.
When the comparability factor is applied, the standardised rate is 10.9, a little below the provisional rate for
England and Wales which was 11.7. The number of deaths from all causes is shown in Table 1. The main
causes of death and rates per thousand population are shown in Table 2. Heart disease continues to be the
leading cause of death with a rate of 3.6 per thousand population followed by cancer with a rate of 2.1,
and respiratory diseases (influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.) with a rate of 1.3.
Infectious Diseases
Four men and one woman died from respiratory tuberculosis (see page 14), and one man and three
women died from other forms of tuberculosis. There were no deaths from any other notifiable infectious
disease.
Cancer of the Lung and Bronchus
Cancer of the lung and bronchus continues to be the commonest cause of fatal malignant disease.
145 men and 42 women died compared with 168 men and 31 women in 1965. It is sad to see so many
adolescents and school children persistently smoking in the face of all the evidence of the association between
smoking and lung cancer.
Bronchitis
119 men and 45 women died from bronchitis compared with 120 men and 44 women in 1965. The
sex difference in numbers of deaths probably relates to the heavier smoking habits of middle-aged and elderly
men and to a lesser extent to conditions of dust and smoke at work.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, Abortion
There were three maternal deaths, giving a rate of 0.46 per 1,000 total (live and still) births. The
total deaths and rate were the same as for 1965. The provisional rate for England and Wales was 0.26 per
1,000 live and stillbirths.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
45 residents died as a result of accidents involving motor vehicles (27 males, 18 females).
All Other Accidents
29 males and 27 females died as a result of other accidents, the commonest causes being accidental
overdose of drugs, carbon monoxide poisoning and falls at home or from buildings.
Suicides
16 men and 6 women committed suicide (see page 19).
INFANT MORTALITY
In 1966, 123 children died in the first year of life—74 in the first week and another 16 in the first
month. There was a slight decrease in the infant mortality rate compared with 1965, from 19.9 per 1,000
live births to 19.3 which was just above the figure for England and Wales (19.0). The perinatal mortality
rate (stillbirths and deaths under one week combined per 1,000 total live and stillbirths) decreased from
29.3 to 25.4, below the figure for England and Wales which was 26.3.
By Wards (Table 3)
Eight wards had rates between 25 and 40 per 1,000 live births—Alperton, Barham, Brondesbury
Park, Church End, Cricklewood, Mapesbury, Roundwood, and Willesden Green—but too much significance
should not be placed on these figures in view of the small number involved. There is no doubt, however, that
an improvement in social conditions of some of these wards would certainly reduce the mortality.
Causes of Death (Table 4)
Prematurity was again the most important single factor in infant mortality; 44 premature babies
died (36 per cent, of total infant deaths).
Respiratory infections caused the second largest number of deaths (28). Antibiotics and improved
environmental conditions have decreased the rate from this cause considerably over the past few years. The
problem of hypothermia, which certainly can predispose to respiratory infection, has received attention from
the midwives and ambulance service.
Diarrhoea and enteritis caused two deaths. The steady improvement in infant care and the availability
of antibiotics have decreased the rate from this cause over the past few years.
In spite of continued improvements in obstetrics, seven children died from birth injury. The death
rate due to this cause has remained fairly constant for many years.
Twenty-two babies died from congenital malformation.
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
The declining incidence and mortality of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, scarlet fever,
measles, whooping cough and typhoid in the past 50 years is a reflection mainly of improved living conditions.
Better housing and nutrition, improved ventilation and smaller families have helped to increase