Public Health acts

    Cards (13)

    • 1848 - First Public health act (voluntary)
    • What did the first public health act entail?
      A Central Board of Health was set up to try improve public health in general. Towns were asked to set up their own individual boards of health to target specific diseases. Because towns had the right to choose whether to follow the health act or not, not all councils cleaned up their towns. In 1854, the Central Board of Health was shut down, as it apparently violated the laissez-faire attitude of the government. Towns had the power to spend their money on street cleaning, but often chose not to.
    • When was the Great Stink?
      1858
    • What was the Great Stink?

      The Great Stink was a period of time in London where there was an unusually hot summer, and the sewage in the river caused an immense stink. It caused Parliament to shut temporarily, which prompted the Parliament to fix and improve the sewer systems and the hygiene in London.
    • Who built the new sewer systems in London?
      Joseph Bazalgette
    • With Bazalgette's new sewage system, 1300 miles of sewers were built to take sewage away from central London
    • When was the Second Reform Act?
      1867
    • How did the Second Reform Act influence public health?

      The Second Reform Act gave working men the right to vote. This means that in order to stay in power, governments had to focus on improving the quality of life for the working men.
    • When was the Second PHA introduced?
      1875
    • Was the Second PHA mandatory or voluntary?
      Mandatory
    • What did the Second Public Health Act include?
      Local authorities were forced to
      -Provide clean water
      -Provide proper sewer systems
      -Collect rubbish on the streets
      -Appoint a Medical Officer of Health
    • Prevention of Communicable Diseases

      To stop the spread of diseases through improved sanitation and public health measures.
    • Improvement of Sanitation
      To provide clean water, sanitation, and waste disposal to prevent the spread of diseases.
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