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HEALTH EDUCATION
Health Education and the most effective methods of presenting it are a constant
challenge calling for frequent reviews of methods in the light of experience and
achievements in the various medical fields.
The technique of presentation is of course vitally important because if this is
at fault it can have an adverse effect on a campaign or at least render the propaganda
ineffective.
Choosing the correct psychological approach to health hazards is not easy and
indeed alternative ways and means may have to be tried before success is achieved. This
is particularly true so far as the individual health education activities of health
visitors are concerned as they must be able to deal with persons of completely different
personalities and yet know the best method of approach.
With regard to National efforts, the campaign against smoking, because of its
association with lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses, is an example of a
campaign which achieved considerable success initially because people were shocked and
scared. Thousands of people stopped smoking because they were frightened at the prospect
of dying from lung cancer if they continued to smoke. On the other hand, young people
particularly, although aware of the associated health dangers, smoke because in addition
to finding it socially desirable are even glamourised by an aura of living dangerously.
How to deal with this sort of attitude is a matter which concerns us now. What is really
needed is something or somebody to present smoking as something which is socially
unacceptable, old fashioned, just not 'with it', and for the weak-willed only. This is
not going to be easy and continues to require nation wide publicity using national media
such as television and radio and newspapers. Do we have to wait for a teenage idol to
die in distressing circumstances before the message will ever go home?
As far as Local Health Education activities are concerned efforts are made to make
these interesting and varied and have included the following:-
Health Education Talks in Schools
By arrangement with the Divisional Education Committee and with the co-operation
of the Borough Education Officer and Head Teachers, Medical Officers, Health Visitors,
Dental Officers and the Chief Chiropodist attended at schools to give illustrated talks
to pupils on various health topics including venereal disease.
Shop Window Display
The dressing of the shop window at 280 High Road, Leyton in connection with health
campaigns has provided scope for the staff to exercise their initiative in original
presentations. The following topics were illustrated in the window during the year:-
January and February Accidents in the home
March to June Clean Air
July to September Holiday safety
October to November Vaccination immunisation
December Home safety and Road safety
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