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54
HEALTH EDUCATION
The ordinary day-to-day work of the health departments of all local
authorities embraces directly or indirectly the matter of health education
in its broadest sense. For many years efforts have been made by local
authorities and by central government, with varying degrees of success, to
bring home to the people of this country the need for a positive approach to
health. The Diphtheria immunisation campaign has undoubtedly been the outstanding
success in the present century.
The almost complete absence of many of the killing diseases of older
generations and the gradual but steady progress in the battle against the
scourge of Tuberculosis and other dangerous diseases is most encouraging.
Complacency, however, is not justified; there is abundant evidence of much
subnormal health which cannot be related to definite organic disease, and any
measures which help people lead a full, healthy and productive life must be
encouraged. Morbidity rates today are far too high, and the chronic subnormal
state of health from which so many people suffer is greatly to be deplored.
It could be argued that health education, like the comprehensive other
education services now so widely available to all sections of the community
and at practically all ages, is a matter for the education authorities. It is
greatly to be regretted that the National Health Service Act places so much emphasis
on the hospital and other curative services, largely to the exclusion of the
preventive outlook. There are, however, indications of a change; it is most
encouraging to hear that in many medical schools social medicine is now being
brought to the notice of medical students with the emphasis it undoubtedly
deserves. It must never be forgotten in dealing with human beings that there
is, in addition to the physical entity, a mind the influence of which in the
protection from disease and the effect on established disease is of incalculable
importance.
As far as this Department is concerned no opportunity is lost in bringing
to the notice of our people matters of importance which make for safe and
healthy living. Pamphlets on a large variety of health matters are available
for distribution to the public, and a number of talks on health matters was
given by members of the staff to various organisations throughout the year.
Food hygiene is today one of the matters of great importance to the health and
wellbeing of the community at large. For many years the Department has taken
a particularly keen interest in this subject, and a comprehensive clean food
exhibit is available which portrays the risks of contamination of food and the
measures to be taken to obviate these risks. In regard to this matter of
clean food I am of opinion that frequent and regular contact with food traders,
persons responsible for management of canteens and restaurants, and others, is
far more likely to bring about the results we seek than by relying on occasional
spectacular campaigns and exhibitions.