Unexpected High Mortality Rates Found in a Review of District Statistics: What Action is Appropriate?

There are a number of reasons for uncertainties in the interpretation & investigation of problems arising through epidemiological monitoring. In some cases it will be appropriate to watch & wait, while in others there may be a need for prompt & extensive investigation. There will be occasions where tentative exploratory work is required – the problems of a high rate of infant mortality & a high rate of female suicide in an inner London district are used as illustrations of this situation.