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it is sincerely to be hoped that the day will eventually
arrive when the true vital statistics of a district such
as Friern Barnet, using these words in their fullest
sense, will be available in such a manner as to be
studied as a composite whole. Meantime, we must make
the best possible use of all the information at our
disposal. It is here that contact with general
practitioners to which I made reference in last year's
Annual Report, is so very useful. I should like to
make it clear that I have received the most cordial
co-operation from general practitioners since taking
up my office as Medical Officer of Health for Friern
Barnet. For this co-operation I am truly grateful.
Health education as it is practised in Friern
Barnet calls for special mention. It is becoming
more and more obvious that, to neglect health education,
is to throw away a weapon which should be in every local
authority's hands and which should be used with regularity
and with vigour. I think it can be truthfully said
that health education has not been neglected in Friern
Barnet. Talks are given from time to time to local
organisations; articles on matters concerning health
appear in the local press, by courtesy of the editors;
the magazine "Better Health" is circulated throughout
the district; while use is made of posters, pamphlets
and leaflets on a variety of subjects in which the
average man and woman should, indeed, must for their
own and for the community's sake, be interested.
I would make special mention of three other ways
in which health education has been encouraged in Friern
Barnet during the year.
The Health Services Handbook, to which reference
was made in the Annual Report for 1955, became available
during the year and was circulated throughout the district.
The booklet was well received, and has proved most useful.
The kiosk outside the Town Hall has also proved of the
greatest value. No less than eighteen exhibits have
been prepared by the Public Health staff since the kiosk
was first brought into use in 1955. The subjects
covered such varied aspects of health as:
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