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Appendix 1
HEALTH EDUCATION
Our programme of health education during 1953 followed
closely along the lines set out in some detail in previous Reports.
Our activities included 20 talks and film shows to local organisations,
circulation of the magazine " Better Health," articles in the
local press, the display of posters, leaflets and handbooks at various
centres throughout the Borough. Although the results of health
education are difficult to assess, it would appear that our policy is
sound, and that we are obtaining results. There is certainly no
doubt that the time and energy spent on health education represents
a practical contribution to the achievement of positive health within
the community.
The film projector which we purchased in 1938, and which has
been used on several thousand occasions, has now come to the end
of its life. It can no longer be used without a serious risk, either of
a breakdown or distortion. As the projector has proved of immense
value in the field of health education, I sincerely hope that the
Council will seriously consider its replacement during 1954. We
must use every medium at our disposal. Here is a medium which
has been thoroughly tried and has proved an unqualified success.
As regards the press, I would once again pay a most sincere
tribute to the editors of our local newspapers for their unfailing
courtesy and assistance. I very often feel diffident at making so
many requests, and for encroaching so often on the limited space
available. I have none the less received the greatest help from
our local editors on all occasions, help which has been the means of
bringing matters of current interest and importance to the notice of
thousands of burgesses.
Mention has already been made of the Clean Food Month
held in the Borough during April. We also had a fortnight's Spring
campaign directed towards immunisation. This was sponsored by
the Middlesex County Council, and added its weight to the continuous
propaganda carried out by members of the Area Health
and Public Health Department staffs in relation to immunisation.
I should personally like to see more health education work
carried out in our schools. I know how difficult it is to make inroads
into the time available in school, and to add health propaganda
to the many other commitments which head teachers have to
accept. None the less, we are extremely eager to carry our work of
Health education into the schools, where the soil is so receptive.
I hope to make certain suggestions in this respect to the appropriate
quarter within the coming year, and to present a scheme which will,
I trust, be found acceptable.
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