BRITONS MORE HEALTHY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 2

BRITONS MORE HEALTHY

* , INFANT MORTALITY RATE LOWEST RECORDED PROBLEMS OF MALNUTRITION, CANCER AM) RHEUMATISM (KICOM omi OWN- COBRESI’ONDEKT.J LONDON, December 5. "The great rise in the standard of our national health,” recorded in the report for 1935 of Sir Arthur MacNalty, chief medical officer of the Ministry for Health, is commented on by Sir Kingsley Wood. Minister for Health, who says it is satisfactory that the improvement has been achieved “in spite of increasing population, increasing urbanisation, and the aftermath of a world-wide war.”

During the last year infant mortality fell to 57 a 1000 births, the lowest on record; the number of deaths of infants under one year was 34,092, or 925 fewer than in 1934, and the smallest number ever recorded; and there was a continued decline in tuberculosis, scarlet fever, and cerebrospinal fever. There was also a conspicuous decline in deaths from measles, giving the lowest rate on record. Problems still to be faced are those of cancer, rheumatic diseases, and nutrition. The deaths ascribed to cancer are 64,507, or 1244 more than in 1934, although progress had been made in diagnosis and treatment, and important advances had been made by radiation methods instead of operative treatment.

“Attention will have to be given,” Sir Kingsley said, “to the fact recorded in the report that modern facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are still available only to that proportion of the population which has ready access to the comparatively few hospitals which are fully equipped, and that much more might be done to put modern methods of diagnosis and treatment at the disposal of a larger section of the population. It is gratifying to note that reseax - ches in causation have now reached a promising stage.” The Minister emphasises the serious character and consequences of the incidence of rheumatic diseases, which caused 15 per cent, of the total disablement and sickness of insured persons. The report emphasises the need of an arthritis unit, in or near a university or great medical centi’e, where cases in the early and progressive stages can be thoroughly investigated. “So rapid has been the progress of national health in the past,” the Minister said, “that we must not expect further improvements to become generally manifest with the same dramatic suddenness of eai'lier days.” The report says that in 1901 520 out of every 1000 people were under 25, 149 between 45 and 65. and 47 over 65. In 1935 the proportions were 388 under 25, 224 between 45 and 65. and 81 over 65. The reason for these changes it that relatively fewer babies are being born to add to the younger generation, and more peonle live long enough to increase the older groups.