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comprising four meetings at weekly intervals to which all
parents of children up to 18 years of age would be invited
and arrangements would be made for a number of distinguished
persons to attend to give talks and take part in the discussion
on various aspects of family care. Those who kindly
gave their services included doctors, clergymen, a juvenile
court magistrate, social workers, and a head teacher.
In the early part of November the Council held a
Jubilee Exhibition at the Town Hall. Hie contribution made
by the Public Health Department included displays on clean
food, rodent control, clean air, infectious diseases,
general sanitation and vital statistics, which outlined
the progress made during the past 60 years. The opportunity
was also taken to further health education by the display
of posters and the distribution of literature on a wide
variety of health matters.
In last year's report details were given of the results
of a survey carried out in this Borough in an attempt to
assess the public response to different methods of health
education. This is being followed by a further and wider
investigation. A questionnaire has been prepared which it
is hoped to complete in respect of a ten per cent sample
of the population. The first survey revealed that television
is the most acceptable medium for the public for health
education, and the questionnaire now being used refers
mainly to the public reaction to health topics on television
and the impact of the commercial advertising of food and
drugs. This is, of course, a considerable undertaking and
will take some months to accomplish.
Home Safety
The prevention of accidents in the home has received
particular attention in recent years and special efforts
have been made by the Public Health Department in the
investigation of causative factors and the dissemination
of information to the public with a view of a reduction
in the number of persons affected. The work of the Department
and the domiciliary activities of the Public Health Inspectors
and Old People' s Visitors have been, closely co-ordinated
with the Divisional Health Service of the London County
Council and the activities of the Health Visitors and Home
Helps. A comprehensive service for the dissemination of
advice and information on matters of home safety has thus
been set up.