The citizen., 1920-12-23
NATIONWIDE FIGHT (
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross win Have
Health Centers In All Parts
OF United States.

The American Red Cross has launch
ed upon a nation wide campaign OF
lighting disease aud physical defect
among the American people. A new
and unique health Institution has come
into being as the result Of several
months study by the Red Cross Health
Service Department at National Head.
quarters.
Officials In charge of the department
predict that before long this new health
activity will be In actual operation all
over the country, and that the sign
American Red Cross Health Center"
will become as familiar TO the pec-
pie everywhere as are now the signs OF
the telegraph companies.
Busy Long Before war.
The interest OF the American Red
Cross in the Hght against disease 10
not. however. Of recent origin. LONG
before the war the organization began
this health service through Its medical
units In disaster relief work and Its
department Of Town and County Nurs
ing. During the war and following
the armistice thousands of American
Red Cross officials have been fighting
disease in the war-stricken countries
At the same time tens Of thousands Of
local Red Cross oficials have been en-
gagged at home fighting disease. nota'
bly, during the influenza epldemics
The American Ped Cross has de-
termined that all this valuable expert.
ence In health service abroad and at
home shall not 90 to waste. SO long
as there are a half q million people
dying yearly In this country from pre-
ventable causes. and so long as more
than onethird Of the American chill
dren and young people are victims Of
physical defects. the Red Cross recog-
nizes the urgent need for continued
Red Cross health service at home
How oroanIratlsn Werka
The Red Cross Health Center II
governed by business principles sp-
plies business methods. and. In its
more simple form. can be established
and conducted By lay people.
II proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health Is q commodity that
can be bought and sold like brvoms
and soap. Therefore, Il establishes It.
self In a storeroom In the principal
business section OF the community. II
Its goods in the form Of at
ractive health exhibits In it's show
windows. II sdvertises constantly and
And II uses every bust.
ness and social device TO attract Gus
toners.
The Red Cross Health Center Is of
service TO the sick in that II gives out
reliable and complete Information
about existing clinics, hospitals. sana-
toria and oth~ institutions for the sick
and the defective about available |
nurses. both trained and practical;
about when to consult a physician and |
why TO shun the quack and his nos
trums.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center H.
however. Of even greater service to the
we'll. II teaches people how TO pre-
rent sickness and disease. This Is done
N many interesting and attractive
Of all. by the distribution
II popular health literature and
through health lectures illustrated with
antern slides or with health motion
picture films. Then lpecial exhibits are
yiven. one after the other. on various
,ealth subjects. Practical demonstra-
ions are made also health playiets BY
hildren to interest and instruct them
elves and their elders. Classes are
'rganized In personal hygiene. home
are Of the sick. nrst aid and In food
election and preparation. Health
lubs. both for younger and older peo-
lie, are formed; also Little Mothers
.eagues. Nutrition and growth clinics
IRE conducted for children.
Already more than q hundred Of
hese Red Cross Health Centers are In
ctual operation throughout the coun-
~. Many Of them also conduct med
cal clinics, but the one chief. out
tanding feature OF the American Red
ross Health Center is its health edu-
alton service which teaches well peo-
10 how "a keen watI