 In the 20th century, the government accepted the need to care for all its citizens 'from the cradle to the grave', and there was a greater focus than ever before on the health of the nation  This is in direct contrast to the ‘laissez faire’ attitude of the government in the 19 th century

 The most important factor in the 20 th century was therefore GOVERNMENT  INDIVIDUALS were also important e.g.  Lloyd George Prime Minister during the Liberal Reforms, and after the war with the ‘homes fit for heroes’ programme.  Aneurin Bevan Minister for Health in 1948 and driving force behind the setting up of the NHS.  William Beveridge – author of the Beveridge Report 1942 which outlined plans for the Welfare State  WAR – was also important – WW1 and WW2 created the desire amongst the people for a fairer and more equal country  ECONOMY was also important as economies recovering after the wars were able to afford better public health care

 From 1906 to 1914 the Liberal Government passed the Liberal Reforms- reforms to help reduce poverty. Legislation included the introduction of old age pensions, free school meals, National Insurance and labour exchanges  1918: After the First World War, the British Prime Minister Lloyd George promised the soldiers returning from the battlegrounds of Europe 'homes fit for heroes'. The government set itself a target of building half-a-million decent homes by  1919: A Ministry of Health was set up to look after sanitation, health care and disease, as well as the training of doctors, nurses and dentists, and maternity and children's welfare.

1934 Free School Milk Act encouraged local councils to give poor children free school meals. 1942: During the Second World War, the need to give people something to fight for led the government to commission up the Beveridge Report. Beveridge recommended a Welfare State, which would provide social security, free health care, free education, council housing and full employment.

 1946: The New Towns Act planned new towns such as Stevenage and Newton Aycliffe to replace the inner-city slums.  5 July 1948: The 'appointed day' for the start of the National Health Service. Gave free health care at the point of need for everyone to be paid for via National Insurance scheme – everyone entitled regardless of whether they had paid in  1956: The Clean Air Act imposed smokeless zones in cities and reduced smog.

In Section A  If the sources question is on Public Health you will need to be ready for a Factors part d question – excellent examples of GOVERNMENT and INDIVIDUALS here In Section B  You may be asked to choose either the 19 th or 20 th century or two different periods – which period saw most progress in public health or which period dealt best with a public health problem? – describe, explain, compare, evaluate  You may be asked to choose between two factors e.g. Individuals and Government and evaluate which was more important to improvements in public health  You may be asked to compare and evaluate two sets of measures e.g. Liberal Reforms , or the National Health Service 1948