Brief History of Health Education

Reporter: Mariz T. Ombajin

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health education in the United States dates back to the 1798, when a federal network of hospitals was established to assist ill seamen.

ill seamen

Dr. John Woodworth, the first Supervising Surgeon, now known as the Surgeon General, was appointed in 1871, the year after the establishment of the Marine Hospital Service.

Dr. John Woodworth

1800sCharles M. Wetherill, a

chemist, was appointed by President Lincoln in 1862 to serve in what later became known as the Bureau of Chemistry. This was a part of the new Department of Agriculture but was the predecessor of the Food and Drug Administration.

President Abraham Lincoln

On January 4, 1889, the Commissioned Corps was formally authorized by Congress. Initially, only physicians were appointed.

Dr. Woodworth is credited with the formal creation of the Commissioned Corps. Dr. Woodworth organized the Marine Hospital Service medical personnel along Army military structure, to facilitate a mobile force of health professionals that could be moved for the needs of the service and country.

The stated mission of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service is "Protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the Nation" in accordance with the Corps four Core Values: Leadership, Excellence, Integrity, and Service.

Commissioned officersThe members of the Commissioned Corps number over 6,600 officers in 11 professional categories:• Dentist• Dietitian• Engineer• Environmental health officers• Health Service Officers• Nurse

• Medical• Pharmacist• Scientist•Therapists (including physical, occupational, speech)• Veterinarian

The Health Services Officer (HSO) category comprises over 50 specialties, including audiology, social workers, physician assistants,optometrists, statisticians, computer scientists, dental hygienists, medical records administrators, medical technologists and others

1900 to 1950In 1906, Congress

authorized the federal government to set standards regarding the safety of foods and medicines. This would later transition to a responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration.

In 1912, President Theodore Roosevelt encouraged the establishment of a Children's Bureau to fight the exploitation of children.

President Theodore Roosevelt

1951-1999President Eisenhower officially established the Department of Health, Education and Welfare on April 11, 1953.

The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services were later separated.

The Salk polio vaccine was licensed in 1955.

Polio was a medical oddity that baffled researchers for years. It was first recorded in 1835 and grew steadily more prevalent. It took a long time to learn that the virus was transmitted by fecal matter and secretions of the nose and throat. It entered the victim orally, established itself in the intestines, and then travelled to the brain or spinal cord.

Dr. Jonas Salk

Dr. Albert Sabin

In 1961 brought the first White House Conference on Aging.

The White House Conference on Aging

(WHCoA) is a once-a-decade conference sponsored by the Executive Office of the President of the United States which makes policy recommendations to the president and Congress regarding the aged. The first of its kind, the goals of the conference are to promote the dignity, health and economic security of older Americans. It has been claimed that it is perhaps the best-known White House conference.

White House conference.

The first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health was released in 1964. The following year, the Head Start program was born.

The Head Start Program is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.

Washtenaw head start school superior township in Michigan.

Lady Bird Johnson Visiting a Classroom for Project Head Start in 1966 .

In 1966, the International Smallpox Eradication program was implemented and worldwide eradication of the disease was realized in 1977.

Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. Smallpox localized in small blood vessels of the skin and in the mouth and throat. In the skin it resulted in a characteristic maculopapular rash and, later, raised fluid-filled blisters.

Child_with_Smallpox_in Bangladesh

Smallpox victim in Illinois 1912

In 1981, AIDS was officially identified, but the virus was not isolated and classified until 1984.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).[1] During the initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the illness progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems.

HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and even oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.[2]

 Some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears, do not transmit HIV.[3] Prevention of HIV infection, primarily through safe sex and needle-exchange programs, is a key strategy to control the spread of the disease. There is no cure or vaccine; however, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy. While antiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease, these medications are expensive and may be associated with side effects.

In 1990, the Nutrition Labelling and Education Act was passed, which authorized food labels.Nutrition labelling is information found on the labels of prepackaged foods.The legislated information includes:

The Nutrition Facts table The ingredient list Some optional nutrition claims

In 1993, the Vaccines for Children Program were implemented, which provided free immunizations to minors under the age of eighteen in low-income families.

In 1997, state health care coverage to additional children was expanded.

Health care in the United States is provided by many distinct organizations. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by private sector businesses. Health insurance for public sector employees is primarily provided by the government. 60-65% of healthcare provision and spending comes from programs such as Medicare,Medicaid, TRICARE, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Veterans Health Administration. Most of the population under 65 is insured by their or a family member's employer, some buy health insurance on their own, and the remainder are uninsured.

2000 and BeyondIn 2001 and 2002, awareness of bioterrorism

escalated as anthrax was mailed, and the fight against other emergency health threats increased.

Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. For the use of this method in warfare.

M-17 nuclear, biological and chemical warfare mask and hood

World Health HistoryIn late 2004, the Global

Health Histories project was formed by the World Health Organization. It emphasizes the importance and necessity of historical education in assisting to develop goals for better health.

 

The United Nations established the World Health Organization on April 7, 1948. This day is now celebrated yearly as World Health Day.

In 2008, the World Health Organization celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Thank you for listening. .