Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-13
A City Health Appraisal.

washington is about TO unuergo
! thorough health examination at the
hands of experts, common enough
experience these days in the lives, not
only Of cities. but OF individuals. The
examination of city, however, differs
in one important respect from the
process as 1t applies to individuals. In
the latter case the examination may
merely serve to confirm fears that the
days of the individual are numbered,
the only compensation being that
warning is given in time to make a
will, select plot and transact other
important, If mundane, affairs. In the
case of a city, however, health ca
animation or appraisal should have
only beneficial results. weaknesses are
pointed out and if the desire exists
they can be remedied. There are no
incurable ailments to contend with.
The American P0blic Health Asso-
cation, an agency that has specialized
in health surveys in cities, is comns
to Washington next month to begin
an intensive study of the city's health
and hospital facilities. AS the asso-
citation does not enter a city without
the approval of the local health de-
partment, the proposed survey is not
to be mistaken as q probe" or check
up on the weaknesses of the Districts
own Health Department. without DR..
Fowler's cooperation the survey would
not be undertaken. AS it is, the in
vesttgation is concerned with far more
fundamental and important aspects OF
the city's general health than lies
within the purview Of the Health De-
partment alone. Undertaken for the
Washington Council Of Social Agencies,
the appraisal is primarily intended as
a scientific score sheet, as it were, that
will reveal in what respects Washington
is behind, and where the city is ahead,
in providing the facilities and the url-
dertakings that guard and improve the
public health.
Twelve thousand dollars for this sur
vey has been contributed by the Com
munity Chest, fact that throws an
interesting light not only on the genesis
of the survey here, but upon a prob
lem which every human unfortunate
enough to have undergone hospital care
realizes and appreciates. In setting the
budgets for the various member organi-
cations, the Community Chest was i'm
pressed, as others have been impressed,
with the disproportionately large annual
budgets required for hospital nAainte-
nance. With the rates charged by the
hospitals, the layman Is unable 10 un-
derstand why the average hospital is al
ways on the verge Of bankruptcy and in
need of financial assistance. The high
rates are usually explained on the
ground that the paying patient pays
not only for his own, but for some
charity patients care. This may be so,
but II is wrong. The paying patient
should not be forced to undertake char
tty work while he is in the hospital.
Other factors undoubtedly enter. The
problem is not confined TO Washington,
but is Nationwide, and a committee of
experts under the Craftsmanship Of DR..
Wilbur, Secretary Of the Interior, is
giving 1t thorough study. The Com
munity Chest is interested in the local
situation, however. and its assistance
in the American Public Health Asso-
cations work is prompted by desire to
throw light on conditions and needs in
Washington's hospitals.
The system Of appraisal followed in
other cities and probably to be adopted
here consists of a thorough-going exami-
nation Of general health, health or well
fare service, adequacy Of hospitals and
their internal administration. It is de-
signed to point out the weaknesses that
may exist in undernourishment of these
activities, the possible lack of co-ordi-
nation between kindred agencies and
the fields in public health work that are
not being properly cultivated.
DR.. Paul Preble of the United States
Public Health Service and chairman of
the health committee OF the Council of
Social Agencies is probably one Of the
best informed men in Washington on
the local situation. He is the author
OF Voluminous document on public
health needs here, compiled some years
ago at the request of the Bureau of Eff
flciency. The book is now being printed
at the Government Printing once, and
will be issued about the time the Ameri-
can Public Health Association under
takes its own investigation. 1t will I'M
doubtedly prove an asset and the city
as whole should benefit.