The Phoenix index., 1940-12-07
Negro Health
Is Discussed
By Catholics

CHICAGO-(ANP)-One of the
highlights of the 26th meeting of
the National Conference of Catho-
lic Charities, held at the Stevens
hotel was the seminar of the COM
mittee on health on: Understand
ing the Physical and Sociological
Factors which Affect Negro Health
Problems The intelligence with
which the participants handled the
subject was outstanding.
Chairman of the meeting was
the Rev. w D. OLeary, S. j., of
Spring Hill College, Spring Hill,
Alabama, who set the tone Of the
meeting by emphasizing the fact
that there was no such thing as
"a Negro Health Problem" but
that the topic for discussion was
a presentation of factors which
influenced the most severe health
problems with which Negroes were
faced.
The first speaker was DR.. G. O.
Broun, director of the out-patien5
department of st. Louis univer-
sity. who, in covering the medical
aspect" gave statistics of mortality
and morbidity rates as they affect
ed colored and white groups, point
ing out that the most unfavorable
rates for the colored group were
of communicable diseases Which
best lent themselves to eradication.
He made a strong plea for improve
ment of economic and environ
mental conditions among Negroes
and for the increasing of taclll-
ties for prevention and treatment
Of disease.
ECONOMIC EFFECT
Mrs. Regina F.. Merritt, of the
old age assistance service of tht
Cook County Bureau of Public
Welfare, presented a splendid pa
per On the "social aspect illus
trating the difficulties which Ne
groes met in securing jobs, nous
ing and recreaticnal opportunities
the influence on health of thes'
difficulties of restrictive coVen'
ants kitchenettes and over-croWd
ing and of the constant stress ant
strain which Negroes underwent.
Sister M. Gonzaga, OF XaVle
university, New Orleans, spoke OF
the Influence of Religion" EN-
phasizing the fact that the basl
of the claim of Negroes for equaht,
of opportunity for economic an
social advancement lay in the fun
damental principles of rellglol
which gave to every individual tn
same duties to perform and, there
fore, the same right in order I
perform those duties.
She gave concrete illustrator
Of the motivatlng influence OF re
ligion in making possible improve
ment of race-relations in the tlel
Of health and in maintaining sue
high standards OF family life g
to combat the deteriorating II
nuence of overcrowd1ng and dis
organized family life which ha
been discussed previously.
INCOME PROBLEMS
Miss Mary McKitterick, hea
dietitian of Mercy hospital, Chl
cago, spoke on the Importance c
Nutrition in Safeguarding Health
pointing cut that insufficient IN
come made impossible the prope
selection and preparation of food
She spoke Of the training bein
given at Mercy hospital to mother
to enable them to make the bes
possible use of the income Whlc
they had.
The final presentation was tha
of Rev. H. Joseph jacob, executlv
director OF the Associated Catholi
Charities of New Orleans, VIII
spoke on Remedial Measures 70
Better Health Program" outlin
ing the practical steps which ha'
been taken in this city, throug
nterracial cooperation, to improv
the health conditions of Negroes
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