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HEALTH EDUCATION
It is impossible to divorce the element of health education from most of the activities
which a progressive health department undertakes during the course of discharging its normal
responsibilities. Indeed, the very opposite is the objective which is desired, and it is
the policy of this department to undertake the education of the public about health at every
available and convenient opportunity. By their personal conduct and advice when they visit
the public in their homes or meet them in clinics and centres, it has been possible for the
department's staff to promote a better understanding of individual and community health
problems, and so assist the public to better health.
To assist the staff in carrying out their health education activities, a variety of
visual aids have been made available, and a liberal supply of posters and pamphlets obtained.
The casual relationship between smoking and lung cancer is now well established, and the
department supply information and health education material to schools where knowledge of
this health hazard was incorporated in the pupil's curriculum. Tribute must be paid to
the work undertaken by Miss Pettit, the Superintendent Nursing Officer, in the promotion and
co-ordination of this campaign and the other aspects of health education, and also to the
willing co-operation of the Chief Education Officer and members of the teaching staff at
certain schools.
Health education in rela-tion to smoking and lung cancer is particularly difficult
because of personal prejudices, the vicarious habits of a life time and the skilfull
publicity of the tobacco trade. Social customs will have to be changed If deaths due to
cancer are to be reduced.
A Decade of Health Education.
The following notes on the health education activities of the department during the
preceding decade have been prepared to meet the wishes of the Ministry of Health, which
requested in Circular l/6o that a sufficient description of health education arrangements
should be given, particularly with regard to any new developments and those directed to
expectant mothers and the parents of young children.
In West Ham the need to develop skills in the technique of Health Education was fully
recognised by 1950. The following notes show that it was necessary first of all to
organise staff education. This helped to ensure that their efforts were more effective,
especially in promoting group Health Education activities. The notes also show that
gradually there was a build-up of suitable demonstration materials, visual aids and technical
equipment.
1950.
There was organised a C.C.H.E. Course on 'Principles Methods and Media of Health
Education1. Medical Officers and nurses working in the Public Health Services were
invited, and attended this two day Course. The West Ham Clean Pood Advisory Committee
was also formed.
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