Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1920 — NATIONWIDE FIGHT AGAINST DISEASE [ARTICLE]

NATIONWIDE FIGHT AGAINST DISEASE

American Red Cross Will Have Health Centers in All Parts of United States. The American Red Cross has launched upon a nation wide campaign of fighting disease and physical defect among the American people. A new and unique health institution has come Into being as the result of several months’ study by the Red Cross Health Service Department at National Headquarters. Officials In charge of the department predict that before long this new health activity yvlll be in actual operation all over the country, and that the sign—- “ American Red Cross Health Center” —will become as familiar to the people everywhere as are now the signs of the telegraph companies. Busy Long Before War. The Interest pf the American Red Cross in the fight against disease is not, however, of recent origin. Long before the war the organization began this health service through its medical units In disaster relief work and its department of Town and County Nursing. During the war and following the armistice thousands of American Red Cross officials have been fighting disease in the war-stricken countries. At the same time tens of thousands of local Red Cross officials have been engaged' st home fighting disease, notably during the Influenza epidemics. The American Ped jpross has determined that all this valuable experience in health service abroad and at home shall not go to waste. So long as there are a half a million people dying yearly in this country from preventable causes, and so long as more than one-third of the American children and young people are victims of physical defects, the Red Cross recognizes the urgent need for continued Red Cross health service at home. How Organization Works. The Red Cross Health Center is governed by business principles, applies business methods, and, ■ In Its more simple form, can be established and conducted by lay people. It proceeds upon the demonstrated fact that health Is a -ommodlty that can be bought and sold like brooms and soap. Therefore, It establishes itself in a storeroom in the principal business section of the community. It displays Its goods In the form of attractive health exhibits in its show windows. It advertises constantly and extensively. And it uses every business and social device to attract customers. The Red Cross Health Center is of service to the sick In that It gives out reliable and complete information about existing clinics, hospitals, sanatoria and other Institutions for the sick and the defective; about available nurses, both trained and practical; about when to consult a physician and why to shun the quack and his nostrums. Teaching Disease Prevention. The Red Cross Health Center Is, however, of even greater service to the well. It teaches people how to prevent sickness and disease. This is done In many Interesting and attractive ways—first of all, by the distribution of popular health literature and through health lectures Illustrated with lantern slides or with health motion picture films. Then special exhibits are given, one after the other, on various health subjects. Practical demonstrations are made ; also health playlets by children to Interest and Instruct themselves and their elders. Classes are organized in personal hygiene, home care of the sick, first aid and in food selection and preparation. Health clubs, both for younger and elder people, are formed; also Little Mothers’ Leagues. Nutrition and growth clinics are conducted for children. Already more than a hundred of these Red Cross Health Centers are in actual operation throughout the country. Many of them also conduct medical clinics, but the one chief, outstanding feature of the American Red Cross Health Center Is Its health education service which teaches well people how to keep well.