A window on the past: the position of the client in twentieth century public health thought and practice

C. Muller

American Journal of Public Health, 1985, vol. 75, issue 5, 470-476

Abstract: Citing articles from the American Journal of Public Health and some other publications, Muller looks at the influence that events and changing social values have had on public health professionals' views of their clients in the twentieth century United States. Conclusions about the roles that inheritance, environment, and poverty play in determining personal health and interaction with health systems were often based on culturally-biased assumptions and racial prejudice. Although more scientific and enlightened views occasionally appeared early in the literature, it was not until the 1970s that the detrimental effects of racism and inequality on the clients of public programs were widely acknowledged. Muller warns that the attitudes of the past could resurface, and calls for vigilance in light of the justifications given for the recent budget cuts and program reorganizations.

Date: 1985
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1985:75:5:470-476_2

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