Britons Live Longer With Tighter Belts

Northern Advocate, 25 September 1943, Page 3

Britons Live Longer With Tighter Belts

(8.0. W.)

RUGBY, September 24

Mortality figures for England and Wales have reached the new low records of 1942. Not only the maternal and infant mortality rate, but also the proportion of still-births and death rates among male and female are the lowest ever recorded in England and Wales. The incidence of infectious diseases is remarkably low —probably the best on record. A number of nutritional surveys made in 1942 showed that there has been no general deterioration in the nutritional state of the population. Minor illness appears to have been no more prevalent than might have been expected at this stage of a hard war. Total deaths in England and Wales for 1942, including non-civilian and those due to enemy action were 480,137, or 550,043 fewer than in 1941. Total live births at 654,039 (were greater than 1941 by 66,811. The infant mortality rate of 49 per 1000 live births is the lowest on record as was the stillbirths rate of 33 per 1000 deaths. The increase in the incidence of syphillis and gonorrhoea continues, though the rise has been less steep. The tuberculosis position is better than could reasonably have been expected two years ago. There is a distinct check in war-time increase in the death rate.

Diphtheria deaths fell from 2641 in 1941 to 1826, a new low record. Deaths from cancer numbered 70.409 continuing the steady rise notedJor so many years.