| Show F For Better Beffer Public Health Work FT T PHE THE HE proposed merger of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake county health d de departments e p a r rt t m men e n t s into one unit which would safeguard safeguard safeguard safe safe- guard the health of all the residents of the county without regard regard regard re re- re- re I gard for city limit signs seems sensible After all as medical authorities favoring the joint health program point out disease germs dont don't pay any attention to boundary lines Furthermore with so many of those who work in the city residing in the county and arid conversely so many residents of the city working outside the city in mines smelters etc the problem of health maintenance is actually wide county and it should be handled on that basis Under the program outlined there would be a seven-man seven health board with two members and a health commissioner named by the county and two members and a health commissioner commissioner commissioner commis commis- named by the city the seventh member to be appointed by these six The board would be the policy-forming policy body It would name a county city-county health officer charged with adminis adminis- He e would act as secretary of the board but would not be be a member of it In addition to the almost certain advantages of more efficient efficient efficient ef ef- ef- ef safeguarding of health the merged department would gain from federal financial aid ald The city and county under the plan would woul jointly appropriate about 70 cents per capita PoPulation population population tion and the federal government would supplement that with 30 cents per capita The net result would be a considerable increase increase in- in crease in total health department spending in the city and county with no no added burden on local taxpayers Public health work is constantly becom becoming ng of greater im- im We know that it is essential if good individual health Is to be enjoyed by residents of any community because disease is no respecter of persons The bad effect of conditions conditions condi condi- dons or lack Jack of medical care in one area of the community is not limited to that area The disease which results can be quickly spread to other areas Good health standards must be maintained on a wide community-wide basis basis and and the wider the area covered and the m more re thorough and efficient the health program program program pro pro- gram the better It is isto to be hoped the new j joint int county city-county health plan can be put into operation without delay |
