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5
what they see. Without doubt the best method is personal
contact but this must perforce be limited to a comparatively
small proportion of the population, and it is necessary
therefore to choose small but influential groups.
As an example, improvements in food hygiene and
food handling have largely been brought about by the helpful,
gentle and yet persistent advice of inspectors responsible
for food premises over many years. The Food Hygiene Regulations
were merely putting into legal form the ideas which had already
been accepted by the majority of good food traders and although
they have been exceedingly useful in improving conditions in
premises which were lagging behind, they could not have come
into existence without the health education of the past.
The selection of other groups is not quite so easy
but fashion plays a great part in the alteration of habits and
behaviour. It is now most unusual to see persons spit in the
street and the main reason for this is that such behaviour is
socially unacceptable. Fortunately, there are in all
communities certain people who set the fashion for their own
particular groups and if they can be persuaded in some aspect
of healthy living they can have a good deal of influence on
many other people.
During the past year an endeavour has been made to
extend the scope of health education by talks and discussion
groups to audiences from various sectors of the community. If
the particular aspect of the subject is presented as a problem
the audience can often be persuaded into some argument and by
allowing persons to participate rather than merely to listen,
a deeper and more lasting effect is produced.
Although there have been some disappointments, the
work is progressing and it is hoped that some of the "leaders
of fashion" within their groups, whether they be school children,
teenagers or persons of established reputation will consciously
or unconsciously extend the effects of our efforts.
Not only must the techniques of public health be
revised from time to time but the needs must also be examined.
Notifiable infectious diseases which were at one time a major
preoccupation are now of comparatively less importance.