The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-09
Peoples Forum
Health Education Needed

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
Your editorials dealing with the
public health problems facing the
people Of this state have been en-
couraging and stimulating to all cit
liens who realize the immense eco
nomic and social Importance of pub
lie health protection through dis
ease prevention. Until the truth and
value of this proposition become
generally recognized by the people
of the state, until the people recog-
nize that this problem, like the prob
lem of dealing with prohibition or
transportation or education, is their
problem, we shall fail to see any
generalized interest in this most i'm
portant department of government.
If lack of general interest exist
among any people concerning prohi-
bition or education or transporta-
ton, lack of interest will be reflected
in smaller appropriations. 1t seems
to be human attribute, individually
or collectively considered, to lose in
terest in undertakings which do not
call forth their personal concern. If
project is turned over to an agent
the tendency is to leave this project
to the agent while attention Is di-
rected to other affairs of more i'm
mediate concern and implication.
Unfortunately for Alabama,
former generation saw fit to let their
Representatives turn over the con-
troll of state health affairs to pri-
vate association of doctors. and the
natural result has followed. The
people have failed to grow interest
in this delegated portion of their
government. They have shown in
terest in those public affairs kept
under their supervision and have
provided funds for these affairs of
generalized interest. Appropriations
for public health work were for a
long series of years exceedingly
meager. The character of our work
never permitted our vital statistics
to be accepted by the national bu-
reau and our state health conditions
were on a parity with our statistics.
One of the great foundations seek
ing field for effort and for demon
stration entered the state, during he
incumbency Of DR.. w. H. Sanders,
and carried on a campaign against
hookworm infestation. This great
work of the foundation was done in
collaboration with the state health
officials and has proven of lasting
value. Later, Congressman Hobson
secured from the national govern
ment flying column which car
ried demonstration and information
through this district. Valuable re-
suits came out of this work.
During the incumbency of the
present state health officer assist
ance has come from various sources.
The United States public health
service, foremost authority in pub
lie health work of this country, and
probably of the world, has continued
it's aid and it's suggestions and has
sent its trained officials to inaugu-
rate and to supervise health meas
ures. Work around Admission during
the war, about Huntsville, about the
Muscle Shoals district, rural santa
tion such as is being carried out in
several counties, all attest the value
of the assistance and knowledge and
initiative of this governmental
agency. Incidentally it may be
stated that two observers from
Australia are reported now visit
ing the state to observe this rural
sanitation development inaugurated
by the service officials. Other
agencie have come with money and
with trained workers to inaugurate
valuable health measures during the
last five years. From the beginning
till now, these outside agencies have
elaborated with the state health
officials in the great tasks under.
taken on behalf of the people fNthe
state.
Sooner or later these agencies
will retire. and the burden will