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4
The birth rate of 15.48 per 1,000 population compares with 18.2
for England and Wales both of which are the highest for over a
decade.
The crude death rate of 11.12 compares with 12.2 for England
and Wales. It is generally below that of England and Wales.
The death rate from cancer for Mitcham in 1963 was 2.29 while
that for England and Wales was 2.18 per 1,000 population. Deaths
from lung cancer however, decreased from 0.77 to 0.69 per 1,000
population compared with 0.52 for England and Wales.
As regards infant mortality the local rate was extremely low at
10.18 and the rate for England and Wales 20.9 per 1,000 live births.
The Home Safety Committee once again supported the national
safety weeks. The competition for schoolchildren in 1963 took the
form of answers to a quiz poster. The large entry of 1,400 was
received and prizes were awarded.
The Meals-on-Wheels service, run by the W.V.S., continued to
supply meals on four days a week to the housebound and to old age
pensioners at the London Road Old People's Welfare Club.
Clean Air Act.—Smoke control work progressed steadily. A
second smoke control area has been made and approved and comes
into effect on 1st November, 1964. Survey work has begun on the
third area.
I wish to thank the Chairmen of the Committees for their unfailing
support, and all the members of the staff for their loyalty and
service throughout the year.
I have the honour to be, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
A. R. GRAHAM,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
Mitcham Court,
Mitcham.