Public health problems in industrial Britain

What was industrialisation?

This was the movement of people from rural to urban areas (urbanisation) to find work as goods were being made in factories powered by steam in cities instead of in people’s homes

Why did cities grow rapidly?

As factories provided work, many people moved quickly to cities for greater pay

What were living and working conditions like?

There was poorly built back-to-back housing which was small, had poor sanitation and few sewer systems, which enabled disease to spread rapidly. Drinking and washing water was heavily polluted as much of it was contaminated with human waste from overflowing cesspits

Why was there air pollution?

Coal was burned in factories to power engines and machines, which caused significant damage to health such as breathing difficulties, leading to many deaths

What diseases were common?

Cholera was spread by contaminated food or drink, causing diarrhoea and vomiting, often leading to severe dehydration and death

typhoid was spread by contaminated food and water, causing a high temperature and fatigue, and could also be fatal