HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 10 1944 PC MinutesALBE%'__ARLE COUNTY PLAIdNING COMIJISSION
MINUTES OF 1.�,EETIIdG OF BOARD
AUGUST LOTH, 1944
The regular meeting of the Albemarle Planning Commission was held
in the County Board Room at 3 p. m. on August loth. All members were present
except D.5r. Ray Warrick.
Dr. Thomas Engl�-:r, who was invited to discuss the health department,
explained the joint operation of the Albemarle and Charlottesville organization
of which he is head. Mr. Haden expressed the feeling that ,::.fter the velar where
war agencies no longer occupy present offices in the count; building, it
would be wise to move the offices to the county building. Dr. Englar pointed
out that present number of personnel compares favorably wd th other sections
of the State, but not with what is considered ideal. Theoretically there should
be about one nurse for every five thousand population. Also an asst. public
health officer, and sanitation officers better trained in their particular
field. The greatest need in his opinion is for a health educator (coordinator),
who should be chosen from one of the three schools =7:i, furnishing this course -
Yale, I'lichigan, and North Carolina.
Before going further into the subject of a coordin..:tor, Dr. Engler
described the present and proposed activities of his department. In the
field of communicable diseases about twenty percent of the time is devoted to
T. B. and twenty percent to venereal diseases. More progress could be made
if there weren'tso much difficulty in getting parents' consent on tests for
the prevention of T. B., prevention being the most important aspect in such
diseases. The question of sanitation is closely related to housing: and stream
polution. Care of teeth is a. part of program in oZration.
Activities proposed for future of the department are nutrition -
including school luT:ch programs -, better housing, and'physical fitness.
Dr. Englar emphasized the part education takes in any health program,
and went to some length in explaining the health coordinator plan, mentioned
previously in these minutes. So fair all coordin.-:tors ai.re women without medical
degrees, and must be chosen for personality suitable for the area in which they
are to work. Dr. Dusenberry of the U. S. Health Department has told Dr. Englar
he has federal funds for one year's salary for such a coordinator whom he will
send to Charlottesville as soon as he can find one he considers suitable for
this ayes. Her method of operation mould be through civic, economic, and social
clubs in the city and county, and through other.selected groups in the beginning.
After a year's time, it would be up to this locality to furnish the coordinator
with salary and transportation. Such funds might be supplied in part by such
associations as the T. B. association.
The value of such a health educational program,when properly managed,
was agreed to be worth the expense and time involved. Mr. Randolph thanked Dr.
Englar for his very helpful and informative discussion, and the meeting adjourned
to Thursday, September 14th, when Mrs. Graves of the County 7elfare Department
would be asked to discuss her department's programs.
HB : IN
ActIng Secretary.