Evening star., 1946-05-22
More Attention
To Heart ILLS,
Cancer Urged
Survey Recommends
Programs to Cut High
Toll in D. c. Area
By Harold B. ROGERS

together cause about 80 per cent
OF all deaths in the National Capital
Area, should be given more vigorous
and efficient attention, with better
organized means of cutting down
their toll.
Disease of the heart represents
the leading cause of death and a sig
nificant handicapping defect in the
metropolitan area" the health and
hospital survey of the Metropolitan
Health Council asserts in the latest
chapter of its survey report out
today.
The District and surrounding
areas lack a broadly conceived and
well organized cancer program" de-
clared the survey. Cancer is the
second leading cause of death.
Recommendations Made.
Chapter 10 of the report, made by
three outside surveyors for the
health council of the Council of So
cial Agencies, presented these rec
concentrations:
Establishment by the Health
Council of Heart Committee, oper-
ating under representative board
and with qualified technical staff,
to study the problem and to plan
for coordination and expansion of
facilities for the care of cardiac dis
eases in the area and for public edu-
cation in best ways for control
and care" of such diseases.
The committee should study the
possibility of duplication involved
in the maintenance of two separate
heart disease registries by the Dis
trict Health Department and by the
Washington Heart Association.
1t should give special attention
to possibility of establishing cardiac
clinics in Alexandria, and in the
county areas.
Would Strengthen Education.
A wider, more effective program of
education and voluntary auxiliary
service should be developed in the
field Of cardiac diseases, either by
strengthening the board and staff
of the Washington Heart Associa-
tion or by co-ordinating it's activi-
ties In a joint program with the
District tuberculosis Association.
In cancer control, the survey
recommended establishment of a
special bureau in the District Health
Department ito direct and stimulate
work in this important area of
public health"
The survey urged formation of a
Cancer Control Committee in the
health council to plan a broad COM
munity program and to coordinate
and stimulate the work of local can
Ger committees in the six areas in
volved."
Development of local tumor clinics
In the Maryland and Virginia areas
was recommended.
On the subject of cardiac disease,
the survey stressed a warming given
by the District Health Officer in
May, 1914, that many of these
deaths could be avoided or post
poned if early diagnosis and ade-
quate treatment facilities were pro-
vided."
Association Praised.
The Washington Heart Associa-
ton was praised for having contrib
uted to important medical aspects
of planning an attack on the disease
on a joint planning basis" but, the
survey declared, the association
falls considerably short of meeting
its aims or the opportunities and re-
sponsibilities which call for con-
structive and coordinated action on
q metropolitan area basis"
The report noted eight cardiac
clinics in the hospitals Of the Dis
trict. six of which are affiliated with
the Washington Heart Association.
The heart association, however
was said to have developed no "inti-
mate working relationships" with
certain hospitals, with the health
department and with the Council
Of Social Agencies, nor are the
health education facilities co-ordi-
mated effectively through the health
council or with those of other vol
untary health agencies, except for
cooperation with the District Med
ical Society,""
Increased medical social service
was said to be needed as IAN essen
tial feature Of the cardiac clinic pro-
gram OF all hospitals"
The death rate from heart dis
ease in the metropolitan area was
estimated at 24S.9 per 1O0, 900 popu-
lation in the period 1904, being
highest 2749 in the District. The
percentage of deaths from heart dis
ease, to all deaths / nthe metropoli-
tan area for the same period was
26.7, compared to 28.5 per cent for
the United States in the year 1912
Program Scarcely Exists.
Concerning cancer, !. the report
says "it is difficult to make specific
recommendations for program
which at present scarcely exists as
a program on any clearly visualized
basis"
"A two-fold approach" the survey
said, however, "is desirable. On the
one hand the District Health De-
partment should assume more ac-
tive position of leadership through
the establishment of a Bureau OF
Cancer Control, under qualified di-
rection, and consideration should be
given to the desirability of making
cancer a notifiable disease
"On the other hand, the District
Chapter of the American Cancer So
ciety described being chiefly q
paper organization), should be de-
veloped as more active service
agency and its work and that OF
cancer committees in the local areas
should be co-ordinated and stimu-
lated by the organization of can
Ger committee of the Metropolitan
Health Council"
Mortality figures for cancer in the
metropolitan area were given az
Ills per 100000 population for the
period 1940-44 being highest in the
District of Columbia, 1912. Cancer
caused IL per cent of all deaths ir
the metropolitan area during the
same period-12.1 for the District
while the disease accounted for liz
per cent of all deaths in the United