River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-10-28
HEALTH DRIVES
PROVE SUCCESS
Red Cross CelterS Are Teaching
Public How to Keep in
Condition.

Realizing the importance of com-
batting and preventing diseases this
winter, the American Red Cross
Health centers are centering their eff
forts on health campaigns in the vari-
GUS states Of the central division.
The health center is of even great
er service to the well than the sick,
for by means of health education it
prevents diseases and conducts its
health campaigns to meet local needs.
A Red Cross health center may be
only room with volunteer or paid
lay worker In charge, yet 1t can be a
most important factor in the proven
ton of diseases and the promotion Of
health in the community. The health
center work has advanced so rapidly
during the last year it now is part
of the civic welfare organization in
the majority of towns.
For the coming health campaigns in
the states, particular attention is be-
ing paid to the small community and
to the outlying districts. The influ.
ence of the chapters headquarters is
being considerably increased or ex-
tended throughout the county by the
establishment of small branch health
centers in the more remote sections.
Volunteers Aid Work.
In most cases these branch centerS
are being placed entirely under vol-
unteer management and the exhibits,
demonstrations lectures and the like
of the main health service are being
repeated at each of the branches.
In reports from many chapters 1t is
found that the health center director
is resourceful to the extent that she
does not wait until people call indi-
vidually at the health center for in
formation. She will stimulate con-
slant demand for health information
and provoke inquiry. In this way she
reaches many who otherwise would
be neglected. In still other counties
where trained workers are not avail
able at this time, some women have
stepped In and organized the work and
carried it on until they have received
assistance.
The Red Cross health center is gov.
erned by business principles, applies
business methods, and, in its more
simple form, can be established and
conducted by lay people.
Uses Business Methods.
1t proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health is a commodity that
can be bought and sold like brooms
and soap. Therefore, it establishes
itself in a storeroom in the principal
business section of the community. 1t
displays its goods in the form of at.
tractive health exhibits in its show
windows. 1t advertises constantly
and extensively. And it uses every
business and social device to attract
customers.
The Red Cross health center is Of
service to the sick in that it obtains
reliable and complete information
about existing clinics, hospitals, sana-.
toria and other institutions for the
sick and the defective; about avail
able nurses, both trained and prac-
tical; about when to consult physi-
clan and why to shun the quack and
his noStrumS.
The central division has thirty-three
health centers in operation. Many OF
them also conduct medical clinics, but
the one chief, outstanding feature OF
the American Red Cross health CEN
ter is it's health education service
which teaches well people to keep
well.