Venereal Diseases - Delay is Dangerous! [1]

A photographed woman in a coat and hat walks along a yellow plank path past signposts reading JAN, FEB and MAR, beside a large black 'VD' panel headed 'Delay is dangerous!'. The passing months and the dark panel carry the fear appeal, while the text states that venereal diseases can be cured, treatment is free and confidential, and where to get advice.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

Fear appeal

Date

1939

Period

Second World War

Made by

Ministry of Health and Central Council for Health Education, printed for H.M. Stationery Office by W.S.C. Ltd; artist Maurice V. Bennett

Region

Western and Central Europe

Country

United Kingdom

Medium

Poster

Issuer type

State

Regime

Churchill Government

Leader

Winston Churchill

Audience

Domestic public

Purpose

Warn or inform

Themes

Health, Home front

Event

World War II

Regime

Churchill wartime government

Leader

Winston Churchill

Source

Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are

Source

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026

Rights

Public domain (UK Crown copyright, 50 years from publication, expired before 1996; no URAA restoration)
Ministry of Health and Central Council for Health Education; printed for H.M. Stationery Office; artist Maurice V. Bennett, 1939-1945. U.S. National Archives, World War II Foreign Posters (NAID 44267315).

VD
Venereal Diseases
Delay is dangerous!
Free advice is available
JAN
FEB
MAR
VENEREAL DISEASES CAN BE CURED
EARLY TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL
Confidential information and advice about venereal diseases and their treatment can
be obtained FREE from the Local Health Department or from the Medical Adviser,
Central Council for Health Education, Tavistock House, Tavistock Sq., London, W.C.1
Treatment is free and confidential
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH EDUCATION
"Printed for H.M. Stationery Office by W.S.C. Ltd 51-3190"