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Reference ID U27Z0H

Headline Health services in the WHO region of the Americas

Description Safeguarding the health of New York City's population: In the 50's, smooth, efficient public health services made it possible for people to live in the five boroughs of New York City without the threat of contagious diseases. Supplying clean water, hygienic food and removing wastes were sanitation and engineering problems of gigantic proportions. A breakdown in any of these services could have meant disaster for millions, especially in the Borough of Manhattan, an island of solid rock 13.5 miles long, 2.3 miles wide, with a population of 1,870,000 to which 350,000 commuters were added by day. The Department of Health of New York City spent over $25,000,000 a year - nearly twice the Regular Budget of the World Health Organization.

Here, Dr Leona Baumgartner (centre) Commissioner of Health for New York City presides a meeting of radiation experts to consider legislation on radiological hazards - an indication of the forward-looking attitude of the city in coping with problems of a highly technical nature involving everyday living in a modern industrial community. Left to right: Carl B. Braestrup, Director of the Physics Laboratory, Delafield Hospital; Mr. Chester I. Barnard, Board of Health; Dr Baumgartner; Dr Theodore Rosenthal, Assistant Commissioner of Health; Dr Loyis Thomas, Board of Health.

Asset date 01/01/1959

Country, area, WHO office United States of America

City New York

WHO Region AMRO

Consent No

File size 15.05 MB

Visibility class:

Public

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