TRENDS

Abstract

A MONTH ago in this column, we drew attention to the status of the Local Public Health Units Bill as it stood in early December in the 81st Congress. We have been watching with special interest the further course of this Bill in view of its direct relationship to the oft' expressed objective of the Academy to extend child health services into areas of need. One of the needs most clearly demonstrated by the Academy's study results from the inequity of health services in rural and isolated areas in comparison with metropolitan areas. The Local Public Health Units Bill proposes to stimulate the development of local health departments, one of the recognized functions of which would be an extension of maternal and child health services. The support which this Bill has received and the fate of this Bill in the 81st Congress may be summarized by the following quotations: In his presidential address, presented at the Fourth Annual Clinical Session of the AMA in Cleveland, December 5 to 8, Dr. E. L. Henderson said: "The American Medical Association has long believed that the existence of effective and properly operated public health units is basic to the maintenance and improvement of the health of the people. As early as 1883, a report was made at the annual meeting of the Association covering a survey conducted to ascertain what states and counties had health departments.