Unit 8 – Promoting Public Health
Learning aim A :Examine strategies for developing public health policy to improve the health of
individuals and the population
Throughout the assignment, I will investigate strategies for developing public health policy to
improve individual and population health. To begin, I will explain the strategies used to develop
public health policy in order to achieve its goals, as well as discuss the contributors to the public
health system since 1942.
P1: Explain the strategies used to develop public health policy in order for it to meet its aims.
The origins of public health
The National Health service (NHS) was introduced on 5 July 1948. This historic moment in British
history made healthcare no longer exclusive to those who could afford it but made it accessible to
everyone no matter of their income. Everyone in the UK was able to receive free healthcare. This
was the first time in the world that entirely free healthcare was made available depending on
citizenship rather than the payment of fees, insurance, or classes.
Prior to the establishment of the NHS, the government and major political parties in the United
Kingdom were concerned about British healthcare and the health and well-being of its citizens.
Infectious diseases like diphtheria and tuberculosis were common before and during Second World
War, and infant mortality rates were high. There were concerns about the people recovering from
war and bombing raids which was happening in the UK. Healthcare and medication were only given
to people who could afford it and those who couldn’t went without specific medical help for their
needs.
In 1942, the government commissioned Sir William Beveridge, a well-known government economist,
to write a report on social policy to advise how Britain could rebuild after WWII. Beveridge had a lot
of political experience and was an expert on the issue of unemployment. Beveridge recognised five
"Great Evils" in society in his report: want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness. He advocated a
new government structure, complete with an ambitious social security system with an aim to set
new standards for citizen welfare, which we now refer to as the welfare state. The Beveridge Report
proposed some bold and controversial new concepts, and it was expected to play a major role in
World War II. A key component of this report was a National Health Service that was free at the
point of access and paid for by taxation. When the NHS was established in 1948, this principle
became the foundation for the organisation. The report also recommended that the government
should find ways to fight diseases.
Measles has been notifiable in England and Wales since 1940. It is an infectious viral disease causing
fevers and red rash, which commonly occurs in childhood. In 1940, there was approximately 400,000
cases reported, every 1 in 20 babies passed before their first birthday and every year people died of
infectious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, and polio. This was an
overwhelming period for people living in Britain.
Between 1919 to 1939, there were many reports on enhancing healthcare to everybody, but nothing
was being performed. However, when Labour came to power in 1945 a considerable programme of
welfare measured followed which included the NHS. The Minster of Health introduced this service
for people who could afford to pay for healthcare and medical bills. The Nation Health Service Act
was passed in 1946 and came into action in 1948. The Act provided the establishment of national
healthcare for England and Wales. According to the Act, the Minister of Health is responsible for
promoting the construction of a health service to ensure improvements in people's physical and
Learning aim A :Examine strategies for developing public health policy to improve the health of
individuals and the population
Throughout the assignment, I will investigate strategies for developing public health policy to
improve individual and population health. To begin, I will explain the strategies used to develop
public health policy in order to achieve its goals, as well as discuss the contributors to the public
health system since 1942.
P1: Explain the strategies used to develop public health policy in order for it to meet its aims.
The origins of public health
The National Health service (NHS) was introduced on 5 July 1948. This historic moment in British
history made healthcare no longer exclusive to those who could afford it but made it accessible to
everyone no matter of their income. Everyone in the UK was able to receive free healthcare. This
was the first time in the world that entirely free healthcare was made available depending on
citizenship rather than the payment of fees, insurance, or classes.
Prior to the establishment of the NHS, the government and major political parties in the United
Kingdom were concerned about British healthcare and the health and well-being of its citizens.
Infectious diseases like diphtheria and tuberculosis were common before and during Second World
War, and infant mortality rates were high. There were concerns about the people recovering from
war and bombing raids which was happening in the UK. Healthcare and medication were only given
to people who could afford it and those who couldn’t went without specific medical help for their
needs.
In 1942, the government commissioned Sir William Beveridge, a well-known government economist,
to write a report on social policy to advise how Britain could rebuild after WWII. Beveridge had a lot
of political experience and was an expert on the issue of unemployment. Beveridge recognised five
"Great Evils" in society in his report: want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness. He advocated a
new government structure, complete with an ambitious social security system with an aim to set
new standards for citizen welfare, which we now refer to as the welfare state. The Beveridge Report
proposed some bold and controversial new concepts, and it was expected to play a major role in
World War II. A key component of this report was a National Health Service that was free at the
point of access and paid for by taxation. When the NHS was established in 1948, this principle
became the foundation for the organisation. The report also recommended that the government
should find ways to fight diseases.
Measles has been notifiable in England and Wales since 1940. It is an infectious viral disease causing
fevers and red rash, which commonly occurs in childhood. In 1940, there was approximately 400,000
cases reported, every 1 in 20 babies passed before their first birthday and every year people died of
infectious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, and polio. This was an
overwhelming period for people living in Britain.
Between 1919 to 1939, there were many reports on enhancing healthcare to everybody, but nothing
was being performed. However, when Labour came to power in 1945 a considerable programme of
welfare measured followed which included the NHS. The Minster of Health introduced this service
for people who could afford to pay for healthcare and medical bills. The Nation Health Service Act
was passed in 1946 and came into action in 1948. The Act provided the establishment of national
healthcare for England and Wales. According to the Act, the Minister of Health is responsible for
promoting the construction of a health service to ensure improvements in people's physical and
