Public Health 1250-present

Medieval Society

In the period from 1250 to 1500, society was structured with a strong religious influence, where most people were Christian, and power was centralized around the king and the Catholic Church.

Four Humours Theory

An ancient Greek concept reintroduced during Medieval Europe, suggesting that the human body is composed of four humours (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) and imbalances in these humours lead to diseases.

Great Famine (1315-16)

A significant event during the Medieval period caused by poor weather and livestock diseases, resulting in approximately 10% of the population dying due to starvation.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic that struck England in 1348, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, leading to three forms of the plague (bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic) and resulting in the death of 60% of the population.

Public Health Measures

Efforts taken in towns and monasteries to improve hygiene and sanitation, including cleaning streets, regulating waste disposal, and ensuring access to clean water sources.

Water Sellers

Individuals who collect water from rivers or conduits and deliver it to people's houses.

Waste Disposal

The process of managing household waste, often collected by scavengers and sold as fertilizer.

Plague Outbreaks

Recurrent occurrences of the plague during the Early modern period, notably the Great Plague in 1665 affecting London.

Responses to Plague

Measures taken to combat the plague, including isolation, pesthouses, and cleaning streets.

Gin Craze

The surge in gin consumption in London due to factors like bans on imported gin and subsequent regulations.

Public Health Crisis

Challenges in maintaining public health during the early industrial period, including poor housing conditions and lack of protective laws.

Responses to Cholera (1831-32)

Actions taken in response to cholera epidemics, such as burning tar in streets and establishing health boards.

Public Health Interventions

Efforts like the 1848 Public Health Act and the establishment of local boards to address sanitation and disease prevention. Most significant was the 1875 mandatory Public Health act

Germ Theory

Louis Pasteur's discovery in 1861 that germs cause disease, leading to advancements in public health practices.

Welfare State

Initiatives introduced in 1900, including free school meals and state-funded pensions, marking the beginning of the welfare state.

British Humanist Society

Formed in 1896, it marked a shift towards a less religious society despite high church attendance.

National Health Service (NHS)

Established in 1948, it provides free healthcare to all UK residents, funded by taxpayers.

Right to Buy

Introduced in 1980 by PM Thatcher, it allowed council house tenants to purchase their homes, leading to an increase in private landlords.

Food Rationing

Implemented during WWII, it ensured fair distribution of food and improved the health of the poor by balancing diets.

Clean Air Act

Enacted in 1956 after 'The Great Smog' of 1952, it mandated the use of 'smokeless' fuels to combat air pollution from factories and homes.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

First identified in the 1970s and caused by HIV, it led to public health campaigns and measures to prevent its spread.

National Health Service (NHS)

Established in 1948, it provides free healthcare to all UK residents, funded by taxpayers.

Smoking Regulations

Evolved over time, including bans on TV ads (1964), health warnings on packets (1971), and public smoking bans (2007) to reduce smoking-related health risks.

Public Health Campaigns

Utilized by the government to promote healthy lifestyles through various mediums like TV, posters, and social media, covering topics from exercise to mental health.