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

Hackney 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]

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Table: The following table shows the age distribution of the population of the Administrative County of London and of Hackney as revealed by the censuses of 1931 and 1951.

The following table shows the age distribution of the population of the Administrative County of London and of Hackney as revealed by the censuses of 1931 and 1951.

Age Distribution19311951
LondonHackneyLondonHackney
All Ages4,397,003215,3333,347,982171,342
0-4297,15114,992271,11913,974
5-9327,57116,220208,45711,408
10-14322,70815,804174,9599,248
15-19398,56819,988172,5719,201
20-24437,50622,308244,95212,213
25-29398,31321,123294,44114,380
30-34337,55917,165267,24013,106
35-39304,78314,421276,00514,263
40-44293,37413,616262,83914,206
45-49284,38613,266237,12812,813
50-54264,32812,389212,21010,990
55-59227,19110,538185,0699,199
60-64181,7488,385168,1818,242
65-69137,2956,410143,7257,094
70-7494,4864,525109,1355,506
75-7954, 4462,54970,2213,312
80-8424,9571,15234,3661,547
85-898,58240812,255521
90-941,805632,726108
95 and over2461138311

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The 1951 census reveals that 10.6 per cent of the population of Hackney
are aged 65 years and over, as compared with a figure of 11.1 per cent, for the
Administrative County of London, and 10.9 per cent, for England and Wales.
Comparison between the censuses of 1931 and 1951 again shows the "ageing trend"
that had been noted in respect of previous intercensal periods. In 1931 the
percentage of Hackney residents aged 65 and over was 7. 2 per cent, as compared
with 7.3 per cent, for London and 7.4 per cent, for England and Wales.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS 1948 AND 1951
SECTION 31 (Contributions to old people's organisations). Under the provisions
of this section the Council makes an annual contribution to the Hackney
Association for the Welfare of Old People, The amount of the contribution
for the financial year ending 31st March, 1954 was £400. This voluntary
organisation, which now has its headquarters at the Central Hall, Mare Street,
includes in its activities the following;-
Case Work. An advice bureau for dealing with problems peculiar to aged
persons is available and an emergency night visiting rota, at present comprising
some 12 persons, has been established. The purpose of this service is to
have available at short notice a team of helpers ready to visit cases of
serious illness to render help pending the arrival of the doctor, or in other
urgent circumstances.
Old People's Clubs, There are in the borough some 25 active old people's
clubs, the majority of which are affiliated to the local Association. The
amenities provided by these clubs include cards, dominoes, draughts, etc. and
films are available for clubs having the necessary space, In addition picture
magazines are provided for clubroom reading as well as for use by housebound
members.
Christmas Grant At Christmas the Association made a grant of £2 0s. Od. to
clubs and a free Christmas dinner was delivered to housebound member users of
the Meals on Wheels service as well as to members of the two luncheon clubs.