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HEALTH EDUCATION
"We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done,
and there is no health in us."
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.
The first part of the prayer which is so well known to us is as valid to-day as it was when it was written
so long ago. However, the second part of the prayer is not so accurate as we know that to-day the general
health of the nation has probably never been better. This should not lead us to complacency as we know
that man could improve his health much more if only he were to heed a little the first part of the prayer;
we know that if we were to be more stringent with our attitudes to diet, smoking, exercise, alcohol, leisure
pursuits etc., we would indeed be able to improve not only the length of life but also its quality; this is
where health education takes an active part in showing the citizen how to improve his life as a whole.
The earlier concept of public health practice, whereby the prevention of infectious disease was achieved,
is an accepted part of day-to-day living, and the measures taken to prevent outbreaks of infection are now
the norm. Health education can, if we wish it, assist us to achieve our aim of good health within the entire
community. The implementation of health education facilities by a local authority is not the simple
addition of an "optional extra" to public health work, but the major keystone on which all future public
health activities will rest.
We are all conversant with the old adage "Prevention is better than cure" and to-day, with sophisticated
management techniques, we are beginning to understand that good health is a valuable, indeed vital,
community asset. The question is how do we begin to sell good health to the community without being
thought of as those peculiar people who have a "thing" about being healthy? Unfortunately, the public has
an inbuilt distrust of the person who tries to promote health, and often regards him as a crank. It has been
said that the health educator tries to frighten people to death. I would prefer Lord Cohen of Birkenhead's
definition — "He frightens people to life!!"
The ultimate object of all health education is to persuade the individual to select for himself the correct
way of living so that eventually he has health.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Since the staff of the health education service was increased, many further tasks in the preventive field
have been tackled, and we endeavoured to keep up with the increasing demand for health education
facilities. With the inclusion of a technical expert in the team we have been able to present displays of high
professional standard using sophisticated techniques. In addition, other Council departments continue to
take advantage of the technical expertise available to them when mounting their own displays, thus
obliquely presenting health education through their own outlets.
ADVISORY PANEL
The Panel which is comprised of representatives of all professional, field and administrative staff,
continued to meet regularly under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Director of Public Health, to learn
about the new materials, methods and communication tools which are constantly being produced for the
furtherance of health education and communication. The following topics were chosen for presentation as
monthly themes during the year.
February 1970 Dental Health.
March 1970 Prophylaxis.
April 1970 Aspects of Child Development.
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