著者

平体 由美

出版者

リトン

雑誌

死生学年報

巻号頁・発行日

pp.179-196, 2020

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Coping with disease and taking action to maintain one's health have been both personal and private undertakings in many cultures of the world. In 19th century America, people sought help among family, relatives, and the surrounding community when they were sick, or turned to advice books when they wished to improve their health. Such practices continue even now, though public health interventions have also become common since the early 20th century. In this article, some factors leading to the rise in public health interventions in 20th century America are explained. Initially there was criticism and resistance when unknown persons such as public health officials or well-meaning third persons advised the public to get vaccinated or follow proper sanitation and hygiene rules, so as to be admitted as "decent citizens" by the mainstream. However, through seemingly scientific child-rearing advice given by people who were concerned about decreasing the infant mortality rate, immigrants and poor families began to accept check-ups and interventions by visiting nurses and public health officials. Children were also a channel for promoting modern public health services, and for spreading the ideology that personal health connects to public responsibility.