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It is estimated that 40,000 people visited the Festival and many participated
in the questionnaire designed by the Health Education Officer, on the safe care
of medicines. Information from the questionnaire showed that 25% of people
keep their medicines in a kitchen cupboard, and only 13% in a locked bathroom
cupboard. The majority of people (57%) disposed of old medicines down the
toilet, but only 4% returned unused medicines to the chemist. 16% disposed
of unused medicines in the dustbin. This questionnaire, in itself, had identified
the need for further health education in this area.
Cancer Education
The visit of the Women's National Cancer Control Caravan/Mobile Clinic
to Lambeth in October, 1972, stimulated health education on cancer and associated
subjects.
Talks were offered to all female clerical staff in the Directorate, and the
Health Education Officer gave four talks to 41 members of staff.
Similar talks were requested, and given, to all the midwifery staff, and to
four women's organisations.
Anti-Smoking
Three staff meetings were arranged to discuss anti-smoking clinics and
Dr. Collins, Chest Physician at St. Thomas' Hospital, and Dr. H.O. Williams,
Chest Physician at the Whittington Hospital, each attended one meeting.
General Health Education
Nineteen talks were requested by clubs and organisations on such subjects
as general health, health in old age, diets for various age-groups, hypothermia,
care of the feet, and cancer education. These were undertaken by health visitors,
the Chief Chiropodist, or the Health Education Officer.
The Health Education Officer spoke to the Brixton Rotary Club and to
the L.O.P.W.A. general meeting both on the subject of "Health Education in
Lambeth".
Freeman's factory requested talks on personal hygiene to all their staff,
and the Health Education Officer spoke to 16 groups at the factory. These
talks were illustrated by slides taken at the factory. The Vice-President of
Costa Rica on his visit to the Health Directorate was shown a selection of
Health Education materials and media in which he expressed great interest.