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HEALTH EDUCATION
Mr. R. W. Allen, M.A.P.H.I., M.I.H.E., Health Education Officer
1970 was another year of extended activity, which inevitably follows as the functions
of a new section become understood and publicised. Briefly, the work of the section
can be summarised as follows:—
(a) The giving of information about the health service by means of press releases,
talks to groups of the public and schoolchildren, etc., and the production of
a "Guide to the Health Services". This, naturally, involves co-operation with
the public relations group.
(b) The arranging of talks, discussions, films, filmstrip slides and tape shows on
health and home safety hazards, together with their prevention by immunisation,
screening tests, exercise or appropriate modification of habit. The section
has printed pamphlets and posters of its own design for use with the many
purchased from other sources to propagate health and home safety messages.
Demonstrations and exhibitions are also arranged.
(c) The arranging of in-service lectures and demonstrations for staff.
(d) The production and distribution of a quarterly 20-page booklet (circulation
7,500).
(e) Co-operation with teachers in courses involving sex education and social
responsibility.
(f)The provision of material for doctors, health visitors and other members of
the staff who give lectures.
Students from colleges, both in and out of the Borough, come for information to
help them with "projects" on health and home safety. Much information and material
is given to student teachers who, in time, will be "health educators".
Home safety continues to involve the section. Many examples of misuse of heating
appliances and hazards of various kinds are referred by health visitors and social
workers, so that practical advice can be given by the home safety officers.
Classes in first aid and resuscitation continued throughout the year and well over
3,000 schoolchildren were taught the "kiss of life" before the summer holidays.
Co-operation with the Library Service helps to provide text books for staff, and
reprints from journals not circulated by the section. In this respect the section makes
much use of LOGA, the Local Government Annotations Service.
During 1969 an experimental slimming group was started, later to be followed
by other groups meeting regularly. These have been successful and their popularity
is shown by the waiting lists of would-be members. Professor Yudkin's carbohydrate
unit system of weight control is used, together with suitable exercises. The competition
provided by the "group" is an important factor. Five regular groups are now run
by the Council and similar groups have been started by women's organisations with
the assistance of the section.
The group principle has also been applied to the problem of excessive cigarette
smoking. Five-day crash courses with suitable follow-ups have been held. The
overall success rate appears to be 50 per cent, complete stoppage with varying degrees
of reduction in the remainder.
The annual competition for members of the Health Department staff, in which
entries consisted of group and individual posters or models with a health education
impact, was again held. It produced some very useful material and the Group Shield
was again won by the Kingswear Health Centre.
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