View report page

HEALTH EDUCATION
The scope of health education is widening; there have been
increases in the number of talks, demonstrations and publicity
material. A recent innovation has been the inclusion of a short
article on a health topic in the Supplement to the Council's
Diary of Local Events "Camberwell Calling." Subjects already
dealt with have included "Clean Air," "Clean Food" and
"Accidents in the Home." These appear to have been much
appreciated by the public; indeed one article was reproduced in a
local Church magazine
Pamphlets and Posters
It is a matter for consideration as to whether the educational
value of the ordinary pamphlet and poster is commensurate
with the expenditure involved in producing, displaying
and distributing this material. The reactions of the public to this
form of health education are being sought by means of a public
opinion poll in an endeavour to find out the amount of notice
that is taken of them and their educational value. In any case,
the principle of concentrating on one particular topic at a time is
undoubtedly more effective than the simultaneous display of
posters on varying health subjects.
The co-operation of the Public Libraries has been most
useful in issuing booklets and bookmarks, which are, in fact,
taken by the public in very considerable numbers. Several
hundred booklets on the subject of "Clean Air" have already
been distributed through this channel.
Talks
During the year talks have been given by the Medical
Officer of Health and members of his staff to schools, mothers'
clubs, women's and men's co-operative guilds, scoutmasters
groups and other organisations. The main topics were General
Health, Clean Air, Clean Food, Accident Prevention and the
Health Education of Youth. These talks were supplemented by
sound films, film strips, flannelgraphs and other visual aids.
Opportunities have also been made available for talks in a
number of schools, followed by visits by groups of selected
children to the Public Health Department, the Council's Disinfecting
Station and so on.
The greatest effort must be expended o
young people, but before doing so, Youth