Salt Lake Telegram | 1936-07-06 | Page 6 | Our Public Health Status

S. S Our Our- Public Health Status S ignorance seems to be suggested in inS inthe BLISSFUL S the report on our public health status trans trans- to the chamber of commerce from the United States chamber of commerce In the tabulation tabulation tabulation tabu tabu- lation of figures submitted in the nationwide health conservation contest Salt Lake City failed to make a show showing g to stir stirS S pride True it placed above accepted standards of the U. U S. S C. C of C. C in the matters of water and milk inspection immunization of school age children from diphtheria medical examination of school children health education in schools cow ow testing and laboratory examinations for ty typhoid typhoid typhoid ty- ty diphtheria and tuberculosis But Butin in other the vital preventive measures we fall sadly behind With a possible rating of 1000 this community achieved a score of Where the U. U S. S C. C of C. C standard calls for a p per capita expenditure of 2 1 I t for public health activity we are found to be spending only 76 cents These showings on their face must appear to call for remedial action Perhaps the h whole story is not to told d in statistical tables We Ve may not be as bad as we are arc painted painted but but we may be even worse Public outcry and alarm can do nothing about it beyond stirring public health officials into activity that will prove or disprove the low rating given the city If the rating is deserved though thoughtful citizens are entitled entitled entitled en en- en- en titled to ask what the city board of health has hasteen been teen doing through many years to permit conditions conditions conditions condi condi- to become so bad Th The public reposes no trust in any public body outweighing that placed with its health commissioner commissio er and arid the board of health op operating operal- operal rai- rai ing under the supervision of the public safety commissioner The present board has been in office less than six months It cannot be held answerable for all aU the shortcomings listed in the chamber of commerce survey Mayor Irwin Health Commissioner Howells and the board of health eaIth members one an and all are challenged by the report of this nationwide health contest nevertheless An immediate and thorough-going thorough survey of the public health status of this city is c called for It not only has vital social significance 1 ca cance ce but it marks this city as uninviting to top top p potential newcomers who would establish homes he here e those who would set up industries and businesses here or those who are arc looking for localities 1 for profi profitable ble investment of capital This is report deservedly or not gives the city a. a abad name ame The e. e city government chamber of 5 1 commerce other civic organizations and all public pub pub- lic lie spirited citizens face the duty of removing it The U. U S. S chamber of commerce earns commendation commendation commendation com com- for bringing to general notice conditions conditions conditions condi condi- in American cities of or which they may have been unaware As is true in Salt Lake City their people generally may have believed that their public health officials were doing a good job If the contrary is true it is good to have the facts made known even though they may shock civic pride j An A. A B. B degree nowadays means that the holder has mastered the first two letters of th the alpha alpha- bet Professor Professor E. E H. H Warren Harvard law school I