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20
HEALTH EDUCATION
Health education - the broad thread running through
the whole fabric of public health work - must move with
the times, adapting itself quickly to the needs of a
changing world, and making use of a variety of modern
techniques. Investigations in the Borough have given many
clues to the methods of health promotion which are likely
to have the biggest impact on the public mind; during the
year, special emphasis has been laid on these. Thus, the
long lecture has been replaced by the short talk followed
by group discussions; films, film strips and tap e
recordings are used increasingly; visits to the Public
Health Department by groups of school children and others
are being made with greater frequency; there has been
closer liaison with other bodies. Invitations are se nt
periodically to organisations in the Borough suggesting
talks and demonstrations to their members. Many have
accepted; too many have not yet taken advantage of t he
offer. Visits to a number of youth clubs, women 's
organisations, church groups and old people's clubs ha ve
proved to be evenings well spent. It has been a pleasure
also to speak at rotary clubs and parents' association
meetings. Opportunities to take part in sound and television
programmes have been welcomed; they have resulted in many
enquiries for further information. The local press has
also been most helpful: the value of the newspaper as a
mass medium for disseminating health information throughout
the community cannot be overstressed.
The exhibition of posters on the Council's notice
boards throughout the Borough, the distribution of
pamphlets and booklets through various agencies, the i ssue
of bookmarks bearing information on health subjects at the
public libraries and the publication of articles in
'Camberwell Calling' all play a useful part in informing
the public.
The personal side of health education is probably the
most rewarding, and special emphasis is laid on it. This
is part of the daily work of the doctors, public health
inspectors and old people's visitors when they call at
homes, shops or factories in connection with public health
or housing matters, infectious diseases, infestation or
home accidents. In this way contact is made with a large
section of the population which is unapproachable by
direct methods. Enquiries at the Public Health office also
provide many opportunities for the giving of health