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34
HEALTH EDUCATION
Health education enters in some measure into every sphere of the work of
a health department, and every field-worker and administrator should be so
orientated that in addition to special features which may be organised, all
opportunities with individual contacts and with groups of the public should be
used to emphasise the principles of healthy living. I am concerned that the
pressure of work within the Department in relation to personnel does not allow
sufficient time for this all important subject.
Health education is co-ordinated by means of a panel of medical, nursing
and inspectorial staff. A programme of topics for each month is made out and
the staff at each maternity and child welfare centre display posters, give talks
and issue leaflets on these subjects.

Instruction and talks on health education subjects are an important part
of the syllabus at mothercraft and relaxation classes. The film 'To Janet a
Son' is very popular and affords a good opportunity for teaching in the discussion
which follows its showing.
The Health Education Panel examines and selects the most effective and
worthwhile materials and programme of publicity in the health education sphere.
Contact has also been maintained with the Inner London Education Authority
on its programme of visits of the anti-smoking units to schools, and the publicity
on prophylaxis was timed to coincide with the Ministry of Health's campaign on
the same subject for September.
On the occasion of the Hackney Field Day in Clissold Park an exhibit was
staged by the mental health section and samples of work done by both adults and
children shown. The Field Day was well attended and numbers of the public
expressed great interest in the Department's activities.