THE HEALTH CENTER

W E HAVE SEEN an evolution in NV, 7business life resulting in the department store, housing under one roof shopping opportunities varying from needles and thimbles to automobiles and house lots. In more recent years we have seen the birth, growth and development in the health and welfare field of an institution which has aptly been called the "department store of health," but techiically described as the " health center." We commend to business men and others who have community interests this type of institution as the ideal one for health conservation. The term "health center" covers a variety of types of institutions varying in scope of activities. Some are institutions for the dissemination of health education only, while others may conduct baby conferences or venereal disease clinics. Some may carry on the many functions of the health department while others are miniature dispensaries. There has been developed an accepted ideal type of health center which combines all of the health agencies, public and private, as well as the welfare agencies, in a selected area, coordinating their activities, and conducting a battle against disease with marked emphasis on prevention. I would define a health center as " an institution for the promotion of health and welfare of the people, made possible and practical by grouping under one roof all of the public and private health, welfare and relief agencies working in a district, thereby developing better correlation and co5rdination of effort."