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PREFACE
To the Chairman and Members of the
Carshalton Urban District Council.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report on the health of the
district for the year 1958.
For some years past the population has been fairly static and whilst
the problems associated with a growing population such as were experienced
particularly in the 1930's have no longer to be coped with, others, no less
difficult, have now arisen due to the fact that the pressure of natural
increase constantly strains the already well filled capacity.
The vital statistics for 1958 are generally satisfactory and shew an
overall improvement over the year before. The birth rate is higher, infant
mortality substantially less and maternal mortality non-existent. The death
rate shews a small rise which is not contrary to expectation. As was
observed in last year's Report, the average age of the population which was
especially low a generation ago, is steadily rising towards the national level
and year by year the higher age groups which naturally have the highest
death rates, form an increasing proportion of the total. In addition, two
institutions for old people have been brought into use in recent years,
Woodcote Grove House and part of the Wandle Valley Hospital. Residents
are admitted there to end their days from a wide area and their deaths
inflate the local mortality rate. A further consequence of the rising age of
the population is a progressive increase in the deaths from cancer. Without
some significant advance in the treatment of this disease, it is likely to
assume a greater proportion of the total mortality as time goes on. The
risks attendant upon excessive smoking and other forms of air pollution,
are highlighted again by much the highest mortality yet recorded in the
district from cancer of the lungs.
The situation in respect of infectious disease again gives cause for
satisfaction, the more noticeable improvements being, as one would expect,
in those diseases which can be attacked by immunisation or vaccination
procedures. The district remained free from diphtheria, whooping cough
was down to a new low record and only one case of non-paralytic poliomyelitis
was reported.
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