Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-12-08
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross win Have
Health Centers in All Parts
OF United States.

1 e American Red Cross has launch
ed upon a nation wide campaign of
hghtng disease and 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
1 Service Department al National Head
/ quarters
/ officials In charge OF the department
pred CT that before long this new health
activity Will be In actual operation all
over the country, and that the sigh
American Red Cross Health Center
will become as familiar TO the PEG
pie everywhere as are now the signs OF
the telegraph companies.
Busy Long Before War.
The interest OF the American Red
Cross In the fight against disease Is
not. however. OF recent origin Long
before the war the organization began
this health service through its medical
units in disaster relief work and iis
department OF Town and County Nurs
ing During the war and following
the armlsice thousands OF American
Red Cross officials have been lighting
disease in the war-stricken countries
Al the same time tens OF thousands OF
local Red Cross officials have been en-
gagged at home fighting disease, nota-
bly, during the influenza epidemics.
The American Ped Cross has de.
termlned that all this valuable expert
ence in health service abroad and AZ
home shall not 20 TO waste. SO long
aS there are half a million people
dying yearly IN this country from pre-
ventable causes, and so long az more
than one-third Of the American chill
dren and young people are Victims OF
physical defects, the Red Cross recog-
nizcS the urgent need for continued
Red Cross health service at home.
l. How Organization Works.
The Red Cross Health Center IL
governed by business principles. ap-
plles business methods, and, In Its
more simple form. can be established
uad conducted b. lay people.
II proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health is commodity thar
and soap. Therefore, II establishes IL
SELF In a storeroom in the principal
business section OF the community. II
displays it's goods In the form Of at
trsctive health exhibits In its show
windows II advertises constantly and
extensively. And II uses every bust
ness and social device 70 attract Gus
toners.
The Red Cross Health Center Is OF
service to the slck in that II gives oV
reliable and complete Information
about existing clinics, hospitals, sana-
toria aud othg institutions for the sick
and the detective: about available
nurses. both trained and practical;
about when to consult q physician and
why 10 shun the 1uack and his nos.
trums.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center is
however, OF even greater service TO the
we'll. II teaches people how 70 pre-.
vent sickness and disease. This Is done
In many interesting and attractive
ways-- frat OF all. by the distribution
~ popular health literature and
through health lectures illustrated with
lantern slides or with health motion
picture films. Then special exhibits are
given. one efter the other on various
health subjects. Practical demonstra-
lions are made also health playlets by
children 70 interest and instruct them
selves and their elders. Classes are
organized IN personal hygiene. home
care Of the sick. first aid nod Ia food
selection and preparation. Health
clubs both for younger md older PEG.
pie. are formed; also Little Mothers
Leagues Nutrition and growth clinics
are conducted for children.
Already more than hundred OF
these Red Cross Health Centers are IN
actual operation throughout the coun-
try Many Of them also conduct med.
zeal clinics, but the one chief. out
standing feature 81 the American Red
Cross Health Center r. its health edu-
cstssa service which teaches welt poo
pie how to keep wen.