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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA.
SITE AND AREA. The County Borough of West Ham lies in the County of Essex within an
area about 4 miles from north to south, and about 2 miles from east to west (4,689 acres).
It is bounded on the north by the Boroughs of Leyton and Wanstead and Woodford, by the
County Borough of East Ham on the East, on the south by the River Thames, and to the West by
the Metropolitan Boroughs of Poplar and Hackney. The area is flat and low lying varying from
5 to 45 feet above sea level.
POPULATION. The estimated civilian population in 1954 was 168,600. This is a decrease
of 500 on the estimated population for 1953.
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2,742 (males
1,513 and females 1,229). This gives a crude rate of 16.2 per 1,000 total population; the
rate for 1953 was 16.6. The adjusted birth rate for 195^ is 14.7 per 1,000 population which
compares with a rate of 15-2 for England and Wales and 15-2 for the 160 County Boroughs and
Great Towns (including London). Illegitimate births accounted for 137. or 4.9 per cent, of
all live births - the rate for 1953 was also 4.9.
Still Births. There was 76 stillbirths (34 males and 42 females) giving a
rate of 26.9 per 1,000 total births.
DEATHS. During the year 1,583 (males 835 females 748) West Ham residents died, giving
a crude death rate of 9.3 per 1,000 population. The adjusted death rate per 1,000 population
is 10.8 which compares with the death rate of 11.3 for England and Wales and 11.1 for the 160
County Borough and Great Towns (including London). The causes of death at different periods
of life, distinguishing male and female, are given in Appendix I, page 124.
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 59 (males 33 and
females 26) giving an infant mortality rate of 21.5 per 1,000 live births as against 29.1 for
1953. The rate for England and Wales was 25.5 and for the 160 County Borough and Great Towns
(including London) 25.2. The list of causes of death can be found in Appendix I, page 124
of this report.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were 2 deaths from maternal causes, as against
no deaths in 1953. The maternal mortality rate for England and Wales was 0.69. See page 43
of this report for further details.
ADJUSTED BIRTH AND DEATH RATES. In order to make an approximate allowance for the way in
which the sex and age distribution of the local population differs from that for England and
Wales as a whole, each authority is given an area comparability factor. This factor enables the
local crude birth and death rates to be adjusted to compensate for these local characteristics.
When so adjusted the rates are comparable with the crude rate for England and Wales or with the
corresponding adjusted rate for other areas.
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
(a ) Infectious Diseases.
GENERAL. No legislation was introduced in respect of infectious diseases during the
course of the year. Ministry of Health Circular 18/54 was issued in July, 1954, its purpose
being to review briefly the present knowledge of poliomyelitis and to suggest such measures as
seem justified in an effort to control the spread of infection. Apart from a sharp rise in the
prevalence of Sonne dysentery, the incidence of infectious diseases throughout the year remained
remarkably low, especially in relation to those diseases affecting the younger members of the
community.
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