General History of Health Education

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health education in the United States dates back to the 1798, when a federal network of hospitals was established to assist ill seamen. Dr. John Woodworth, the first Supervising Surgeon, now known as the Surgeon General, was appointed in 1871, the year after the establishment of the Marine Hospital Service. Subsequently, he established a group of medical personnel to assist with administration. The United Nations established the World Health Organization on April 7, 1948. This day is now celebrated yearly as World Health Day.

1800s

• Charles M. Wetherill, a chemist, was appointed by President Lincoln in 1862 to serve in what later became known as the Bureau of Chemistry. This was a part of the new Department of Agriculture but was the predecessor of the Food and Drug Administration. On January 4, 1889, the Commissioned Corps was formally authorized by Congress. Initially, only physicians were appointed. However, due to the expansion of the Corps and Public Health Service agency, a wide variety of health professionals now serve in the organization.

1900 to 1950

• According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 1906, Congress authorized the federal government to set standards regarding the safety of foods and medicines. This would later transition to a responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration. In 1912, President Theodore Roosevelt encouraged the establishment of a Children's Bureau to fight the exploitation of children.

1951-1999

• President Eisenhower officially established the Department of Health, Education and Welfare on April 11, 1953. The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services were later separated. The Salk polio vaccine was licensed in 1955, and 1961 brought the first White House Conference on Aging.

  The first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health was released in 1964. The following year, the Head Start program was born. In 1966, the International Smallpox Eradication program was implemented and worldwide eradication of the disease was realized in 1977.

  In 1981, AIDS was officially identified, but the virus was not isolated and classified until 1984. In 1990, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act was passed, which authorized food labels. In 1993, the Vaccines for Children Program was implemented, which provided free immunizations to minors under the age of eighteen in low-income families. In 1997, state health care coverage to additional children was expanded.

2000 and Beyond

• In 2001 and 2002, awareness of bioterrorism escalated as anthrax was mailed, and the fight against other emergency health threats increased.

World Health History

• In late 2004, the Global Health Histories project was formed by the World Health Organization. It emphasizes the importance and necessity of historical education in assisting to develop goals for better health, especially for those in underdeveloped or third world countries. In 2008, the World Health Organization celebrated its 60th anniversary.