Health Is a Community Affair

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This book is the product of the first American group effort to survey the entire field of community health services. Based on findings and recommendations developed by six national task forces and twenty-one community health studies, and tested by the reactions of 1,000 community leaders, the Report deals with the varieties of personal and public health services that people need, and with the manpower, facilities, money, and organizations needed to inaugurate them and put them into operation in the years ahead. The positions presented range from problems of water pollution, the need of every individual for a personal physician, accident prevention, and family planning to health education, hospital costs and care, and the effect of urban design on human health. The Report explores the present government–private voluntary partnership in health services and suggests modifications to make the partnership more effective. It also stresses the necessity for planned action in all communities and looks carefully at the potential scope and range of health services. The recommendations are intended to be acted upon by communities themselves and are addressed to all who work, either professionally or as volunteers, for more effectual health services.