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
Merton and Morden 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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POPULATION.
The Registrar General's mid-year estimate of the populations
of the district was 73,270, an increase of 30 over that
for the previous year.
The 1951 Census Report for the County of Surrey was
issued during the year, and it was noted that the preliminary
population figure for Merton and Morden of 74,602 had been
increased to 74,730 in the final report. As regards sexes, the
totals were 35,277 males and 39,453 females.
BIRTHS
Seven hundred and ninety-two live births were registered
during the year, together with 18 stillbirths, giving a total
of 810. This shows a reduction of 76 as compared with our
total of live births for 1953 and the birth rate has dropped
to 10.8, the lowest ever recorded in the district.
The number of illegitimate births registered was 22, the rate dropping to 27.8 per thousand live births, our first reduction in this figure since 1950.
| Year | No. illegitimate live births | Rate per thousand live births |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 21 | 25.9 |
| 1938 | 31 | 31.3 |
| 1939 | 27 | 26.9 |
| 1940 | 29 | 29.9 |
| 1941 | 40 | 47.2 |
| 1942 | 39 | 36.5 |
| 1943 | 57 | 49.7 |
| 1944 | 49 | 42.6 |
| 1945 | 63 | 61.3 |
| 1946 | 45 | 35.7 |
| 1947 | 38 | 28.3 |
| 1948 | 42 | 38.6 |
| 1949 | 37 | 37.5 |
| 1950 | 23 | 24.5 |
| 1951 | 28 | 32.2 |
| 1952 | 28 | 32.2 |
| 1953 | 28 | 32.2 |
| 1954 | 22 | 27.8 |