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Health education
There have been a number of developments in the department's health education activities.
Smoking and health—The long-term campaign initiated in 1962 to bring this subject
to public notice and particularly to younger people took shape during the year.
Following the appointment of a health educator, a mobile unit was formed with the
primary function of visiting schools, colleges and youth clubs. This became operational
in June and by the end of the year 140 establishments had been visited, including 96 schools.
A total of 329 lectures, aided by films, filmstrips and other material, were given to some
26,600 persons ranging in age from seven to 60 years; most however were of school age.
The smoking advisory clinic at the East Islington welfare centre continued and further
clinics were opened at Woodberry Down health centre and Fulham chest clinic, the latter in
co-operation with Dr. H. C. Price, the chest physician.
An exhibition in the County Hall display window in April emphasised the need for
adults to set an example to young people in the matter of smoking by themselves abstaining.
Venereal disease—The increasing incidence of venereal disease in young people received
the attention of the Health Committee, the conference of medical officers of health of
London and the Home Counties, the departmental advisory committee on health education
and the standing advisory committee on health education in schools. Broad conclusions
reached included the realisation that short intensive publicity campaigns were less likely
to be effective than a continuing and expanding process of education on the dangers and
other facts of venereal disease. A start was made on the preparation of leaflets and posters
for selected groups, having regard to the present dearth of suitable material. A talk was
given by Dr. C. S. Nicol, consultant venereologist at St. Thomas' hospital, to medical
staff and he and Miss M. Holmes of the University of London Institute of Education
addressed a study afternoon on the medical, social and health education aspects of the
subject for health visitors, social workers and certain other staff.
Health education in schools—A standing advisory committee was formed to consider
continuously ways in which schools could be helped to continue and expand health education.
Members are drawn from officers of the education department, with strong representation
from officers of the public health department.
Campaigns and exhibitions—A stand on safety in the home, fire prevention and means
of escape was mounted at the Ideal Home Exhibition, Olympia in conjunction with the
Architect's department and the London Fire Brigade.
In the autumn a campaign of simultaneous publicity throughout London and the Home
Counties for routine immunisation was launched with the co-operation of the Ministry of
Health.
Health education talks—The following tables show the variety and volume of talks and
discussions arranged by the field staff. Films and filmstrips continued to be widely used in
these activities. The department's own library met 647 requests for filmstrips and provided
230 of the total of 960 films shown. Talks given by health visitors in schools at the invitation
of head teachers ranged over a variety of subjects and numbered over 4,000.
In order to allow greater flexibility in the use of audio-visual aids, each division was
provided with its own film projector and ceased to rely on use of a central pool of machines.
The hiring of films and the selection of literature was also devolved directly to the divisions
during the year.
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