Changing Concepts in Public Health *

"God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference."** Progress towards the objectives of world health and peace depends upon many factors, especially upon the understanding and wishes of the people. That public health is people is suggested in the title of a popular book.t What each person may know and do as an individual will influence much of the future of a local area and a state and a nation. Much will depend on the continuing ability of communities to send to the governing and advisory bodies of official and voluntary organizations people whose vision encompasses the health needs of the area as a whole, rather than being restricted to a group of agencies or to one particular agency. This principle, advanced by the first Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Brock Chisholm, applies to the situation in the United States as well as to the future of the W.H.O. in which we are all likewise interested. This is no time for "empire building" nor for complacency. Also necessary for progress in the improvement of health is the greater development of the skills of direction and coordination to ensure maximum economy and effectiveness of services. It is time for community agencies to pursue with increased vigor the establishment of long-term goals in terms of human needs, opportunities, and interrelationships. These factors deserve priority in emphasis over temporary, short-term goals, backed by skillful money raising campaigns, some of which have understandable emotional appeal. This means also that we shall do well to keep in mind the interdependence of the economic and social factors in our society. There is no doubt that gains in public health are greatly influenced by advances in other fields. Constructive programs for public health should be dynamic and adaptable to changing needs which are influenced by conditions, duties, and occasions in a state or nation. Concepts of working together for increased effectiveness are taking many forms, depending upon the problems, on the ideas of people concerned, and on many other factors. The survey in various mani-** From the door of a hospital for the care of chronic illness.