how far did public health provision change 1900-1948

• liberal reforms

  the old age pension act of 1908 provided a basic income for those over 70

  the free school meals act of 1906 provided 158,000 children with a free school lunch

  the national insurance acts part 1 and 2 provided sickness and unemployment benefits to help lift workers out of poverty

  this improved public health as it created an embryonic welfare state that lifted people out of poverty and therefore improved their health
• WW2


  the creation of the Emergency Medical Service to deal with civilian casualties improved emergency hospital care

  the evacuation of dirty, unhealthy and undernourished children from poverty stricken inner cities to rural homes improved their health

  rationing improved the diet of the poorest in society

  therefore public health improved as a better emergency hospital system was established and the problem of poverty was tackled
• NHS


  The act was passed in 1946 and the NHS opened its first doors in 1948

  free at the point of use, it included visits to GPs, hospital treatment, emergency services, dental treatment and glasses

  Within a year 187 million prescriptions had been issued and 8.5 million people had been treated at the dentist

  therefore public health improved as it was a comprehensive and free service which led to life expectancy increasing year on year