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

The Health Bulletin September, 1951and infant death rates of today ascompared with those of twenty-fiveyears ago.Everyone interested in the welfare ofthe growing child appreciates the valueand importance of a constructive schoolhealth program. Such a program shouldbe continued and made more effectivefrom year to year. However, at thistime it is deemed of paramount importanceto call attention to that trite buttrue statement that "as a twig is bent,so is the tree inclined." As previouslystated, public health workers, parentsand physicians have given close attentionto babies during the first year oflife; however, the so-called "toddler"group of children has apparently beenoverlooked. It is felt that special attentionshould be given to this group inthe future. The school health load hasbeen materially increased by failure toexercise closer supervision over the "oneto six" age group. By the time a childreaches the age of six years, the physicaland emotional pattern of that childhas become fairly well established or"inclined." Every local health departmentshould have as its main objectivethe execution of such a constructivepre-school health program that everypre-school child by the time school ageis reached will be free of all correctablephysical and emotional defects and willhave been immunized against all diseasesfor which an immunizing agentis available. The achievement of suchan objective will not be easy. It will requirepersistent and continuous teamworkon the part of parents, physicians,dentists, Parent-Teachers Associations,and the personnel of local health departments.However, such a program, ifproperly executed, can be expected toproduce the following tangible results:1. The provision for optimum physicaland mental well-being for thechild throughout the pre-schoolperiod as well as assuring the childevery opportunity for sound physicaland emotional growth.2. A sizable reduction in the numberof school children requiring attentionfor the correction of physicaldifficulties or emotional healthproblems.3. The establishment of a pattern formedical care that will encouragea child to seek regular medical attentionfrom his private physicianor dentist throughout his life.4. The time and personnel now beingused to secure the correction ofdefects in school children couldwell be utilized in extending otherphases of the public health program.The second statement, as given above,points to the fact that the school- agechild with a physical defect may havehad the misfortune of living with thatdefect several years before it is revealedin a school health examination. No onewould consider waiting for children toget diphtheria before offering a programof immunization, nor should onewait until the child is six years of agebefore taking action on a remediable defect.It is recognized that the school-agechild is in a more or less controlledsituation. The children are alreadyassembled and accounted for when thehealth workers enter the school buildingto execute the school health program.It is essential that a sound health programfor this age group be maintained.In contrast, the pre-school group is ascattered population. In order to developa sound program with this group,it will be necessary to utilize greaterresources and ingenuity.The Parent-Teachers Association hasgiven significant impetus to the schoolhealth program through the able sponsorshipof pre-school clinics for childrenplanning to enter school. This programhas aided materially in the successof the school health program. Thisagency should be able to make an outstandingcontribution to a more comprehensivepre-school program.The expedient way to carry on aschool health service program is towait until the child enters school. Themore profitable way for the child andcommunity is to initiate and executea sound health program for the agegroup of one to six.