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HEALTH EDUCATION
Mrs. P. Mahy, S.R.N., C.M.B. (Part I), H.V.Cert., Community Care Cert., F.E. Teachers Cert.,
M.I.H.E., M.R.S.H.—Principal Health Education Officer
"If one were to offer men to choose out of all the customs of the world such as seemed
to them best, they would examine the whole number and end by preferring their own".
—Herodotus
The general aim of health education within the community is to encourage people to value
their health and to regard good health of mind and body as being an asset. Persuading an individual
to alter an established pattern of behaviour, or to change an attitude, is no easy task.
History and Legislation affecting Health Education
The Public Health Act 1936, Section 179 gave local authorities power "to spend money on
health education". National Health Services Act 1946, Section 21, provided for the "Publication
of information on questions relating to health or disease, for the delivery of lectures and the display
of pictures and films dealing with such questions". Under Section 28 of the 1946 Act, the Minister
decreed "that there would be more scope for the exercise of these powers in relation to health
education" (Min. Health circular 118/47).
Health Education is needed from the "cradle to the grave". Indeed mothercraft classes are
arranged to educate for the next generation whilst "in utero". An early health educator was Bishop
de Marisco, 1220, Bishop of Durham. He "directs that women be admonished to bring up their
off-spring carefully and not to place them when very young too near at night lest the babes be
smothered; not to leave them alone in an house near the fire nor in a place near water. This duty
is to be declared to them every Lord's Day".
In their day to day work the medical team of health educators—doctors, dentists, health
visitors, midwives and community nurses are encouraging people to value their health and to
prevent man-made epidemics caused by abuse of body function and misuse of various agents
such as drugs, tobacco, etc. Since the personality and habits are mainly developed in the first
three years of life, health education is especially aimed towards those caring for young children.
Mothercraft classes have been established for many years; involvement of the Father is being
encouraged. It is felt desirable that a standard syllabus for these classes is necessary; this is being
processed. The Principal Health Education Officer will act in a supportive and advisory role to
those participating in mothercraft classes, namely health visitors, midwives and dentists. In order
to give advice regarding content of talks, visual aids, equipment and literature available, it is
necessary continually to search for and assess new material and knowledge, together with
developments in communication technique. Statistical data at both national and local level must
be studied. Added to this, precis of reports relating to numerous health topics must be made.
"Handouts" and relative specialist information is circulated to staff. The concept of "team work"
prevails; this involves in-service training later to be extended to multi-disciplinary groups. Invitations
will be extended to youth leaders, school teachers, nurses from industry to name but a few. During
a recent training weekend on psychoprophylaxis relaxation, midwives from both hospital and the
community joined the health visitors. Development of health education in child health centres
is planned.
Home Accidents.—Statistics are alarming and the prevention of accidents in the home,
all age groups being concerned, but primarily the young and elderly, is being studied closely.
Several projects regarding this subject are being considered; clearly this subject must be included
in mothercraft teaching. From the young to the elderly. A "Pre-retirement course" was arranged
at Uxbridge Technical College. The health aspect of the course was organised by the principal
health education officer; other members of the team to join her were Dr. Westworth, Principal
Medical Officer, and Mrs. Gilboy, physiotherapist. The course was a success and our team contri-
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