The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

June, 1951 The Health Bulletin 27A primary objective of the StateBoard of Health, so far as venereal diseasecontrol is concerned, is for themanagement of venereal disease by theprivate physicians and the local healthdepartments. To implement this objectivethe development of adequate localhealth department facilities has beenencouraged. To provide proper technicalbackground, refresher courses for physicians,health officers, public health andgraduate nurses have been given duringthe year. Intensification of this programhas occurred during the last half of1950 so that classes are being held twoto three times a month for the variousprofessional groups. The response tothese short-term courses, averagingthree days in duration, has been verygood. For this reason, this phase of theprogram will be continued indefinitelyand will include courses for Negro physiciansand nurses.The clinical facilities of the VenerealDisease Center at Durham are in constantuse by the Syphilology Departmentof Duke University Medical Schoolto teach the medical students thevarious aspects of venereal disease management.The School of Public Healthat Chapel Hill, too, utilizes some phasesof the program at this Center.It is planned to emphasize venerealdisease control in the military and defenseareas of the state. Concentrationof effort in these areas will anticipateand manage any increased prevalenceof venereal disease as a result of the defenseeffort.A research project under the directionof Dr. John J. Wright, School of PublicHealth, known as the North CarolinaSyphilis Studies was set in 1940 to followthe trends in syphilis over a longperiod of time. The project is located atthe School of Public Health in ChapelHill and is under the administration ofthe Division of Epidemiology of theState Board of Health. Funds are derivedfrom the University and from federalgrant-in-aid allocations to theState Board of Health.Basic data on all stages of syphilisoccurring in the area have been accumulatedsince 1941 in the form of registerof serologic tests and a register of allbirths in the area. These data are beingused for evaluating venereal diseasecontrol programs.During 1950 the following studies werepublished1. Greenberg, B. G., Wright, J. J., andSheps, C. G.: "A TECHNIQUE FORANALYZING SOME FACTORSAFFECTING THE INCIDENCEAmer-OF SYPHILIS", Journal ofican Statistical Association, September1950, Vol. 45, pp. 373-399.2. Wright, J. J., and Sheps, C. G.:ROLE OF CASE FINDING CON-TROL TODAY", American Journalof Public Health and The Nation'sHealth, July 1950, Vol. 40. No. 7.3. Wright, J. J., Sheps, C. G., and"REPORTS OF THEGilford, A. E.:NORTH CAROLINA SYPHILISSTUDIES: V. Indices in the Measurementof Congenital Syphilis",American Journal of Syphilis, Gonorrheaand Venereal Diseases. InPress.Since July 1950 the staff have beenengaged in three studies relating to theproblem of congenital syphilis:1. A retrograde epidemiologic study isbeing completed of a series of cases ofcongenital syphilis reported during thepast few years in the area surroundingChapel Hill. By interviews with familiesand physicians, and review of all availablemedical and health records on thefamilies, an attempt is being made tofind why congenital syphilis is still aproblem despite seemingly adequatemeans of prevention.2. A series of cases of maternal syphilisare being studied to determine themost efficient case-finding methods.3. A study of 14,000 pregnancies occurringin the area in the past nineyears is being made to determine towhat extent serologic tests are beingdone during pregnancy as a routinepractice.Members of the staff have also takenpart in the teaching of venereal diseasecontrol methods at the School of