This can be accomplished by the methods employed to bring poliomye- litis and other epidemics under control, and to make frontal attacks to conquer cancer, heart disease, and mental disease. Federal and voluntary agencies have mobilized to prevent and treat birth defects, muscular dystrophy, sclerosis, and palsy. Basic to this unified approach is identification of the individual citizen with a means by which he can satisfy the inherent desire to serve his fellow man. Accidental death and disability too, can be attacked by such concerted actions. This report summarizes current practices and deficiencies at various levels of emergency care.
Millions lack instruction in basic first aid.
Local political authorities have neglected their responsibility to provide optimal emergency medical services. Research on trauma has not been supported or identified at the National Institutes of Health on a level consistent with its impor- tance as the fourth leading cause of death and the primary cause of disability. Potentials of the U. S. Public Health Service programs in accident prevention and emergency medical services have not been fully exploited. Data are lacking on which to determine the number of individuals whose lives are lost or injuries are compounded by misguided attempts at rescue or first aid, absence of physicians at the scene of injury, unsuitable ambulances with inadequate equipment and untrained attendants, lack of traffic control, or the lack of voice communication facilities. Helicopter ambulances have not been adapted to civilian peace- time needs.