[Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Harlow U.D.C.

  • Harlow (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1967
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Harlow U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/64 (page 17)
    and her husband. The demand for holidays was greater than ever and 447 applications were received as against 367 in 1966. Preference was given to those who had never had a Council holiday before. During 1967 a further eight voluntary housing wardens were appointed by the Council as well as an organiser, bringing the total number of wardens to 23. Seven hundred and sixty-four persons over the age of 65 years received chiropody under the County Council scheme. Medical Examination of Council Staff One hundred and three persons were medically examined and 66 were medically assessed in connexion with their employment by the Harlow Council. Only one was found to be unfit and three others were referred for further examina- tion after a period of twelve months. Two persons were medically examined at the request of other authorities. During the latter part of the year a method of medical assessment was introduced which obviated the necessity for full medical examination in most instances. All applicants for employment with the Council were asked to complete a medical questionnaire and on the basis of this it was found that very few persons required a full medical examination. This method greatly reduced the number of examinations required to be carried out by medical officers of the department or by the Industrial Health Service. Health Education The persistence of personal habits which endanger health is a continuing challenge to any health department. Even in a community with high standards of general education, medical care, housing and environmental hygiene, the health of the people still depends largely upon individual behaviour. Health education is a means not only of transmitting knowledge about modern health hazards, but also of persuading and helping people to avoid them. Methods of health education vary, from the exhibition of poster information, through lectures, films and discussion groups, to the advice and guidance offered to families in their own homes. Each method is of value in itself, but all are more effective when they combine to reinforce a particular theme ; the spreading of information alone makes only a limited impact unless people are stimulated to apply what is taught in their daily living. As in any campaign the choice of priority targets is important. The following summary of health education work undertaken by the staff of the Public Health Department and the Harlow Health Area during 1967 indicates the emphasis placed on teaching children and those responsible for their care and upbringing, in the belief that lasting habits are formed principally within the family and at school. The public health inspectors gave a number of talks in schools and at the Technical College, and took part, with the staff of the Area Health Department, in training courses for home helps and assistants in the school meals service. Other groups which invited them to speak included the Harlow Consumer Group, Harlow