Evening star., 1946-09-04
For Healthier City
Southwest Area Figures Show
How Center Has Cut Disease
(Second OF SeriesJ
(Second OF a Series.)
By Harry Lever

In seeking facilities necessary to
meet its postwar case-load. the
Health Department points to the
existing Southwest Health Center as
an example Of the type of units that
contribute most to reducing disease
in any given area.
The Southwest Center, at Della
ware avenue and street S. w., cost
s24o.0o0 with equipment. 1t opened
in July, 1910, the first of the strate-
gically located centers advocated in
the Health Departments long-range
expansion program. The center now
serves a population estimated to be
approximately $4,000 persons, 41.O00
Of whom are white and $4,000 COL
ored.
Health Department statistics for
1914, covering the area served by the
center. and the fifth year on which
figures are available. show that the
death rates for pneumonia, tuber-
culosis and infant mortality dropped
considerably as compared to 1910,
the year the center was opened.
Areas Compared.
At the same time, according to the
Department, these same figures show
that lesser decreases and even in
creases in the death rate for these
diseases have been registered in the
Central Northwest area, where there
is no health center, and where off,
cials contend one is urgently needed
In 1910, when the Southwest popu-
lation was 54,820, there were 76
deaths from tuberculosis, or 1885
per 100000 unit Of population. In
1914, when the population had risen
to 1885, there were 81 deaths from
the disease, or 111.3 per 10000, a
decrease of 20 per cent.
In the Central Northwest area In
1910, when the population there
was ITS ,465, tuberculosis caused 236
deaths, or 134.5 per 100000 units of
population. In 1914, when 215 ,426
persons resided in the Central
Northwest, there were 249 deaths
from the disease, or 1856 per 100,-
600 unit of population, decrease
of only IA per cent.
Pneumonia Incidence.
As to pneumonia, the Southwest
showed another decrease over the
Central Northwest area. In 1910
there were 81 deaths from pneu-
monia in the Southwest, or 98.5
per 100000 unit of population, as
against 80 deaths, or SAT- per 100, 900
in 1914, for gratifying decrease
of As per cent.
The Central Northwest area
could only register a decrease of
81 per cent for the same disease,
with 143 deaths in 1910, or 81.5 per
100, 900 unit of population, as against
110 deaths In 1914, or Sill per
100000.
In addition, the Southwest had
substantial edge over the North
west Central section in reducing
infant mortality. There were II
deaths in the Southwest during
1910. or 632 per 1000 live births,
as against II in 1914, or 53.7 per
1000 live births, for a decrease of
Is per cent.
Meanwhile, in the Central North
west, ITO deaths, or 6l8 per 1000
live births, were registered in 1910
and 215 deaths, or 69.3 per !, 900 live
births occurred in 1914, for an in
crease Of IL per cent.
Access to Clinics.
In instances where health has
improved in the Central Northwest
area, the Health Department
pointed out that residents there
while having no health center, have
access to the AZ general and
specialized clinics throughout the
city.
In stressing the value of such
facilities as the Southwest Health
Center, officials gave this break
down of last years statistics COW
ering the Southwest center's four
main services:
Over $500 visits for treatment OF
tuberculosis or examination for this
disease; 8,747 visits in connection
with maternal and child welfare
cases, and 1888 visits, or 49.4 pc,
cent Of all the center's visits, fol
treatment or examination of vene-
real disease.
Since only 161 venereal deaths oc-
Cured in the entire city in 1945 and
many OF these involved already crit
ical out-of-town military and naval
cases admitted to St. Elizabeth's s
Hospital, officials point out that the
Southwest Center has definitely
proven, in respect to venereal dis
ease, the value Of preventive treats
ment as meted out in health center.
Venereal Disease Survey.
The center's facilities for treat
ment of venereal disease augment
eight venereal disease clinics cur
renty operated as out-patient serv-
ices of District hospitals, A recent
health survey, conducted here by
out-of-town experts, made q recon-
Imendation which the Southwest
Center is now aiding to carry out
that these eight clinics be aided
In every way"