HEALTH AND ADULT EDUCATION

-AS OBSERVED AT THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR ADULT EDUCATION

When Morse A. Cartwright, Director of the American Association for Adult Education, rose to make his annual report at the opening session of the Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the Association, held in New York at the Hotel Astor, May 18-21, he faced an audience representing some 200 associated organizations and special groups concerned with adult edu

cation.

Mr. Cartwright reported on the growth of adult education in the past decade and briefly considered the future of adult education in the United States. In other years, Director's reports have emphasized qualitative versus quantitative success in adult education, discriminatory thinking, and the "retroactive eflects of adult education ideals upon formalized education for the young, upon professional standards and the climination of claptrap and charlatanism." In 1934-35, the report hammered in "Certain well-spaced nails in the coffin of the depression-promulgated idea that 'the school is and should be an agency for social action."'

During the past ten years, the formative period of Adult Education, the issociation has made a conscious attempt to adopt a role of constructive criticism, as opposed to destructive criticism, tending to wipe out what had been done in adult education. Declaring that the Association's policy should be maintained Mr. Cartwright said: "We shall be able with such a policy to maintain, protect, and consolidate the ground gained. Our lines of communication will be strong for they will be based upon the spread of discriminatory thinking on thinking on the part of the people to be served. And we shall have borne in mind the fact that the

July, 186

adult is under no compulsion to exhibit the slightest interest in adult education. le should no more be frightened away from it than he should be misled by false promotional promises of its efficacy pc a panacea for all evils."

A summary of the program of the Association for the last decade, outlining the activities in the various fields with which it has been identified, was embodied in the report. These programs include education for the foreign born, alumni education, education for citizenship, parent education, vocational education and guidance for adults, adult education in libraries, museums, universities, public schools, prisons, and workers' organizations, and adult education in the fields of music, recreation, radio, and science. The Association since its founding in 1926 has conducted a program of research in adult education which resulted in the publication of over a hundred books and pamphlets. tive work with such agencies as the American Library Association, the National Recreation Association, the National Education Association, many State universities, State and local adult education. councils, Federal and State governmental agencies in the promotion of adult education programs, characterizes the principal projects of the Association.

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Projects initiated or aided by the Association during the past year include such varied activities as forums for the discussion of current problems in Des Moines, Iowa; Hartford, Connecticut; and Springfield, Massachusetts; an experiment conducted by the "readability laboratory" of Teachers College, Columbia University on the simplification of reading material; a study of science in adult education; the National Occupation Conference, an organization for the furtherance of educational and vocational guidance; the Saranac Lake Study and Craft Guild; a study of adult education in rural areas, and the establishment of experimental

Although observation of scores of section meetings on the manifold problems and projects of adult education was impossible, it was observed in the general sessions that health education of the adult has not been made an important and integral part of educational programs. The amazing strides made by adult education during the past decade have, obviously, been obliged to include the solution of a number of bewildering problems of a general nature. That many of these problems have been admirably solved is proved in Mr. Cartwright's report, and in the reports brought to the listener from many authoritative sources. One question however remained unanswered: "Are those concerned with the education of the adult aware of the great need, and the growing demand for basic health information, founded upon the authority of science?"

Section meetings on the Meaning of Adjustment were of interest to public health workers and health educators. Adjustment was discussed from the point of view of the minister, the physician, the social worker, the personnel officer, the educator, and the community. Successful adjustment of the personality is necessary in maintaining health and occupational efficiency; it is equally important in achieving success in education and in community relationships.

Here, again, the importance of the physician in a community problem is clearly demonstrated. Among six representatives of the various fields concerned with adjustment, Dr. C. M. Hlincks.1 Director of the National Committee for Mental Hygiene, alone presented a scientific understanding of the problem of personality adjustment. Consideration of other discussions raises the question as to the advisability of this difficult task being attempted by the minister, the social worker, and the recreation leader without at least the guidance and supervision of the physician.

Certainly, a need for more scientific education in this field exists. The medical profession, especially psychiatrists, having the most authority to speak on this subject, should take the lead in educating "educators" as well as in educating the public.

Three readjustment projects deserved the consideration of a section meeting. William F. Stearns, organizing director of the Saranac Lake Study and Craft Guild. reported on this project of readjustment in the sanatorium patient. John Kratz, chief of the Rehabilitation Service, described the activities of a Federal agency for the rehabilitation of the physically disabled; and Robert B. Irwin (American Foundation for the Blind) reported on the development of libraries to provide "talking books" for the blind.

Exhibit room at the convention revealed a marked advance in the preparation of educational material for adults. Section meetings on such great educational media as the press, motion pictures, and the radio discussed the work of these agencies in adult educatior. Printed material specifically for health education was scattered and scanty. The pamphlets of the American Medical Association, one or two Public Health Service pamphlets (displayed with a number of others from the U. S. Office of Edu

1 An article by Dr. Hincks will appear in a forthcoming issue of The Health Officer.

cation), and some half dozen commercial publications comprised the total of exhibits for health education.

In the field of Parent Education, health has an integral part. Ilowever, health education in this field is specific to the health and training of the child. The same may be said for the contributions of the U. S. Office of Education to the field of health

education.

Although the Federal emergency a dult education program was characterized by Director Cartwright as "low in quality; high in quantity," an Adult Education Project, carried on by the U. S. Works Progress Administration in cooperation with New York City's Board of Education, offered the convention a well-organized Health Education Pro gram for adults as an integral part of the project.

The Health Education Division of this project is organized in two depart.. ments. The Medical Department offers to enrolled individuals a painstaking physical examination, with a follow-up for the correction of defects revealed by examination. Individuals are given guid ance in personal health problems, with a physician acting as the adviser. Emer-gency service for the care of accidents and cases of sudden illness is also pro vided. Employees on the project who are unable to obtain the services of a private physician are given the same ser vice.

Twenty-two centers where these ser.. vices are available have been set up in the various boroughs of New York City. The majority of these have been established in high schools and trades schools.

Medical examinations are given by doctors, dentists and nurses. Correction of defects is provided by dental and eye clinics, fifty-two public clin

July, 1936

ics, and by private doctors and dentists. A medical advisory committee has been set up for vocational and personal health-guidance.

For the school-year period, September, 1931 to June, 1935, the Medical De partment made 27,296 complete examinations; 11,674 re-examinations; referred 18,405 cases for treatment; treated 8,928 emergency cases; advised 23,532 cases on health regime. In March 1936, the Division reports 8,526 examinations; 1,384 re-examinations; 882 cases corrected.

The Health Instructions Department provides free health classes for adults, with a weekly attendance of some 8,000 in sixty-five centers. Eight courses are offered, including instruction on Everyday Problems in Healthful Living, Family Ilealth and Family Recreation, Problems of the Child and Youth, and Mental Hygiene and Behavior Problems.

A course of Child Care for Mother's Helpers is designed for girls and women who will have the care of children. The importance of maintaining personal health habits among the students in this course is stressed. A Camp Counselors' Course also prepares the young adult for assum-ing the duties of a camp counselor. The authorized American Red Cross Courses on home hygiene and Care of the Sick and First Aid are also offered.

In all discussion groups, members are invited to bring in their problems. These are discussed in the class or individually with the instructor. The need for individual discussion led to the planning for consultant hours. Almost every class hour is preceded or followed by an hour or more of consultant service. Besides giving suggestions about home problems of children and youth, individuals are referred to family physicians, clinics, organizations, and associations giving special special types of service which the individual may need.

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A speakers bureau is maintained by the project for providing speakers women's clubs, community centers, and other organizations. "Health for Busy People" was the subject of a series of eight radio talks given over WNYC by members of the staff. Another series of twenty talks was given over same station by guest speakers on the subject: "Ilealth for Every Day."

Such a health program, integrated in a comprehensive adult education project, offers encouragement to the health educator for the future of adult health instruction.

Philip N. Youtz, director of the Brooklyn Museums, probably pointed the most direct finger to the future of adult education in all fields, when, at the close of his address to the first session, he advocated the abandonment of a great part of adult education in the "fine arts." Mr. Youtz urged more education in the natural sciences, political science, economics, psychology, and sociology. These, after all, the great disciplines intimately cerned with the business of living. is with this business of living that the adult is most deeply concerned.

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SOCIAL WORK

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The Sixty-third Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Social Work brought together in Atlantic City, May 24-26, 1936, forty-eight national social agencies and special groups interested in public welfare. Associations that have pioneered in the world of social work, as well as newcomers in the field, were represented. Among the older organizations having traditions extending back twenty-five years or more were the National Child Labor Committee, the National Children's Home and Aid Associa

tion, the Child Welfare League of America, and the Family Welfare Association of America. The newer organizations included the Clinical Psychology Group, American Association on Mental Deficiency, International Association for Crippled Children, National Committee of Health Council Executives, and the National Council for the Physically Handicapped.

Scores of notables of national and international reputation were among the list of speakers and discussion group leaders. Monsignor Robert F. Keegan, president of the Conference, opened the first general session on Sunday evening with an address on "Democracy at the Crossroads." Other general speakers were Katherine F. Lenroot, Mayor Fiorella H. LaGuardia, of New York City, Edith Abbott, Dean of the Craduate School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago; President Harold W. Dodds of Princeton University, Parker T. Moon, 'rofessor of International Relations, Columbia University; Solomon Lowenstein, Executive Vice-President of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, New York City.

The problems with which the fortycight groups dealt in the hundreds of special meetings scheduled during the Conference, represent the whole picture of social work in the United States today. Of special interest were the sessions on the social significance of the Social Security Act, social work aspects of the medical profession, mental deficiency in the community, psychiatric social work and teaching, immigration problems, juvenile delinquency, social hygiene, and relief problems.

The United States Public Health Service was represented by Senior Surgeon R. R. Spencer who addressed the meeting of the American Association of Medical Social Workers on "The Growing Edge of Medical Service."

July, 1936

THE GROWING EDGE OF MEDICAL SERVICE*

R. R. SPENCER

Senior Surge on, U.S. P. H.S.

The practice of medicine is neither a perfected art nor a perfected science. Indeed, its chief glory lies in its im perfections. What a fine and stimulat ing thing it is that the medical profession has many problems to solve!

Whenever we consider the growth and development of medicine we must remember that the physician of today has come to feel his responsibility as a highly specialized biologist who deals with the most complex of all living creatures. Hence no sphere of human behavior can ever be foreign to him.

The medical profession is traditionally conservative and it is the part of wisdom to proceed cautiously. Yet, while other human activities go forward and new methods and techniques are born, the practice of medicine must necessarily change also. To a living organism or a living organization change is the one universal law. Still it may be fatal if too sudden or too violent.

history. One finds that medicine, like many other sciences had very crude and unscientific origins. It developed chiefly from magic just as chemistry grew out of alchemy and astronomy out of astrology. Indeed, in primitive times the duties of the priest, the physician and the magician were hardly distinguishable; but at the moment when critical-minded observers came into the picture and scientific thinking was applied these professions began to separate. They have travelled different paths ever since although it is still easy to detect traces of each in the others.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN PRIVATE PRACTICE

Although the newer concepts of what the physician's duties to his patients and public should embrace are somewhat vague, there are some few who feel that these new ideas are taking hold of the profession too rapidly. One observer, for example, has stated that "any physician who displays zeal zeal for preventive medicine is committing professional suicide." No doubt this is an unreasonably conservative attitude and a very unusual one since the transition from curative to preventive medicine is obviously an inevitable biologic drift which can not be stopped any more than we can stop the growth of an embryo. In fact, physicians themselves have done more than any other this trend. It is the group to create duty of every physician to keep himself fully informed as to the trends in preventive medicine so that he may meet in telligently the problems that are arising and to determine for himself the extent to which the practice of preventive medicine should enter intghis private prac tice. For many decades preventive mea sures have been creeping imperceptibly of medicine and are into the practice of now taking an increasing amount of the physician's time. Indeed, there never has been a time when physicians, even if unconsciously, have not practiced preventive medicine. For every case of com