PSYCH 103 UNIT 8 PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH,100% CORRECT
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Course
PSYCH 103
Institution
PSYCH 103
PSYCH 103 UNIT 8 PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH
Inton, Maria Sophia Ernestine L3 Health and Social Care YR 2
Bryan Smikle
Introduction
What is Public Health? According to Smith and Jacobson, 1988, public health ‘involves the promotion of health, the prevention of disease, the t...
11075795 Inton, Maria Sophia ErnestineL3 Health and Social Care YR
2
Bryan Smikle
, Introduction
What is Public Health? According to Smith and Jacobson, 1988, public
health ‘involves the promotion of health, the prevention of disease, the
treatment of illness, the care of those who are disabled, and the continuous
development of the technical and social means for the pursuit of these
objectives’.
During the past years in Victorian times, outbreaks of cholera, typhoid
and influenza killed thousands and the Great Stink of London, when raw
sewage filled the Thames, forced politicians to move Parliament. Edwin
Chadwick demonstrated the link between poor living conditions and disease
and reduced life expectancy. The government realised that they would have to
organise a public approach to health and from these beginnings, public health
was born.
In 1842, Edwin Chadwick one of the Poor Law Commissioners published
a report called ‘Report on the Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population
of Great Britain’ highlighting the dreadful conditions people were living in.
People refused to work and go outside due to infectious diseases, most of
them were from working class. Due to the little attention given by the
government to controlling diseases, he concluded that it would be cheaper to
spend local taxes on improving housing and hygiene instead of running
workhouses. The report also suggested the provision of access to clean water,
removal of sewage and rubbish from the streets. However, the report also
received negative comments from the middle-class taxpayers saying they ‘did
not see why their money should be spent on better living conditions for the
poor who did not pay anything towards the improvements themselves’.
In 1854, there was another outbreak of cholera. The outbreak convinced
Dr John Snow to investigate a theory. He concluded that cholera was spread
through water. He marked on a map all the deaths in one particular area of
London’s East end and later discovered that there was a clear concentration of
deaths around a water pump on Broad Street. Snow had the handle removed
so people couldn’t use the infected water. As a result, the number of deaths fell
dramatically. Snow’s investigation had a massive impact on public health as it
helped people change their minds about Chadwick’s suggestion of providing
clean water.
In 1942, the Beveridge Report produced by Sir William Beveridge
identified five ‘Evil Giants’ in society. These are as follows: Squalor (Dirtiness),
,Ignorance, Want (Poverty), Idleness and Disease. These has impacted most of
the poor people negatively. The report was published during the World War II,
but in 1945 when the war ended, the government decided to act on
Beveridge’s suggestions. In order to overcome (1) Squalor, they built council
houses with bathrooms and flushing toilets. To overcome (2) Ignorance, they
introduced free education up to the age of 15. To overcome
(3) Poverty, the government introduced a system of benefits. People in work
had to contribute, as did employers, but in exchange people got sick pay when
they were too ill to work. To overcome (4) Idleness, the government
introduced Labour Exchanges, now called Job Centres. Finally to overcome
(5) Disease, they set up the National health Service (NHS).
In 1875, an act was promoted to ensure that local councils provide the
best for people’s health. This includes the provision of clean water, public
toilets, rubbish removal, sewers and drains. By then, councils also managed to
check food shops around the areas to ensure food safety, ensuring quality of
new housing and enforcing laws against polluting rivers. As technology and the
understanding of disease control were refined, interventions against health
threats were developed by public organisations and agencies. Public
authorities introduced new tasks including sanitation, immunization,
regulation, health education, and personal health care to the public.
, EDWIN CHADWICK (1800-1890)
Photo reference:
JOHN SNOW (1813-1858)
Photo reference\
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