Public health nutrition services: issues today and tomorrow
Egan, M.C.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 77(4): 423-427
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 6999067 Document Number: 154688
Career development for nutritionists has taken a long time to develop; the early 1900's saw nutritionists who were trained in home economics and biology, such as Ellen H. Richards, a dietitian at Mass. General Hospital, and other pioneers of community nutrition clinics. The awareness of government and charitable agencies for the need to improve nutrition dates back to at least 1918, and the establishment of milk stations for children. Employment of nutritionists in public health agencies has grown slowly over the years, from maternal and child care to disease control, mental retardation programs, extended care services, etc.; to a large extent this process has generated the educational support it needed. Health care services have currently expanded in specialized fields (handicapped children, high-risk infants), food assistance programs (WIC), basic health care in previously underserved areas, service programs (Head Start), and the National Health Service Corps. Current problems include fiscal restraint, changing priorities, administrator indifference, policies, priorities, and programs. In the future, public health programs must be better planned, defined and coordinated; must be more cost effective; and must be based on better training.