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The American Health Foundation George James, dID, New York I i 1Y1OS7.' United States vohmtary health associations and fotuidations interested in health, such as the American Cancer Socie- ty, the American Heart Association, and the National Tuberculosis a nd Respiratory Dis- ea.se Association are concerned with categor- ical diseases. These organizations do stress preventive measures. All three mentioned the campaign against smoking, and the Na- tional Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association has mounted major efforts against air pollution. 'I'he National Fotmda- tion played the lead role in developing an effective vaccine against poliomyelitis. hiever- theless, such approaches are small when com- pared to the current empl:asis on therapy. With the shortage of physiciazis and all health personnel, there is urgent need for prevention of diseases as well as palliation and cure. '1'he emphasis on delivery of inedi- caal care cannot be fully effective without major effort to reduce the sharply increasing numbers of sick demanding care. With this philosophy in mind, a group got together re- cently and formed tl:e . American Health Submitted for publication Nov 12, 1969; accepted Dec 15. From the 'Motmt Sinai Medical Center, New York. Read before the annual mecting of the American College of Preventive Ntcdicine, Philadelphia, Nov 73, 1969. Reprint requests to \fount Sinai 'Medical Center, Fifth Ave and 100(h St, New York 10029 (Dr. Jamcs). Foundation. It seemed high time to imple- ment the concept casually held by everyone: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." History has proved rather conclusively that few, indeed, of the major diseazes have been effectively controlled by treat- ment alone. The conquest of yellow fever in Colonial America involved vector eradica- tion; typhoid was only eliminated by control of water and milk supplies, as well as super- vision of waste disposal. The dramatic de- cline in pulmonary tuberculosis began be- fore the advent of potent chen:otherapeutic agents. Surely, transplants in patients hav- ing cardiac disease are r.o ultimate answer to the problem caused by thousands of fail= ing hearts! We must admit that the present enthusi- asni for heroic surgery, coronary care units, and renal dialysis centers is coupled with a chronic indifference to cessation of cigarette smoking, reduction of dietary saturated fats, and other current recommendations of pre- ventive medicine. We must seek ways in which to popularize the promotion of pos- itive health. Detection follorred by treatment of preclinical diabetes, hypertension, and glaucoma appear to be important. Survey methods for nutltiphasic detection programs need standardization of methods and fol- low-up. Why have iliedicare and 1tIedicaid laws been so writte: tient who goes subterfuge to c probrams' inclt discourage pat: cal consultatioi The Americ< correct imba'.~ the de:•elopmc; tive medicine area is needed The Americr profit, tax-exer in the state of Trustees com; leaders and hc presiclent of 'IN tific policies ar a board of sci, a number of f ventive medic tivities include tudes toward 1 epidemiological tory of myocal tory study of factors on bl, recommendatio; De Lamar Pr Columbia Uni~ supporting an , tmiltihhzsic st heinb dorie by Arch h,wlron Hcalth-Vol 211 July 1970 I

undation nes, MD, New York igh time to imple- r held by everyone: is worth a pound rather conclusively ie major diseases ntrolled by treat- of yellow fever in d vector eradica- ~' `.ed by control ~ well as super- rhe t'he dramatic de- :ulosis began be- ;hemotherapeutic in patients hav- ult'unate answer iousands of fail- !i present enthusi- ~ aary care units, couplc d with a ion of cigarette saturated fats, Jations of pre- seek ways in notion of pos- I by treatment -rtension, and rtant. Survey tion hrobrains ods and fol- been so written that the symptom-free pa- tient who goes for an examination must use subterfuge to obtain pa}ment? Why do such programs include "deductibles" sLuTicient to discourage patients from seeking early medi- cal consultation? ' The American Health Foundation aims to correct imbalances which militate against the development and application of preven- tive medicine techniques. Research in this area is needed sorely. The American Hcalth ,k'oundation, a non- profit, tax-exempt orUarvzation incorporated in the state of New York, has a Board of Trustees composed mainly of industrial leaders and headed by David J. Mahoney, president of Norton Simon, Inc. Its scien- tific policies and program are determincd by a board of scientific consult<uits, comprising a number of experienced advocates of pre- ventive medicine. Current intramural ac- tivities include a study of Americans' atti- tudes toward preventive care, a prospective epidemioloaical study of patients with a his- tory of myocardial infarction, and a labora- tory study of the effects of environmental factors on blood coagulation. Upon the recommendation of lieriuaji L•`. tlillehoe, MD, De Lamar Profc:~'or of Public Health at Colunnbia University, the foundation is also supporting an evaluation of tlie adequacy of multipha.sic Gc:reening, pro.-ran-L.; which is being done by a team headed by Anna Gel1- man, MD, yet its extramural program to promote preventive medicine is deemed to be its most important mission. The foundation plans to establish active divisions in other states. The first divisional organization has been set up in Washindton, DC, under the professioiial guidance of Pat- rick J. Doyle, MD, chairman of the Depart- ment of Community Medicine at George- town University. The foundation publishes a monthly newsle,tter. As its activities expand, the foundation expects to be able to make funds available for studies in preventive medicine through- out the country and to become_ a vital force in the advancement of preventive care. It will welcome the opporttmity to cooperate with physicians and other individuals or associations interested in its stated aims and invites their views on,programs for action. Its 'ofl'ices are at 180 East End Ave, New York, NY 10028. It may be in the nature of man to find the present reality of dramatic cures more fasci- nating than the invisible forces of preven- tion, but it is to these that the medical art of tomorrow must be directed. Ernest NVynder, MD, is the president and executive director of the foundation. With his boundless energy, enthtisiasm, anci zcal, the American Health Foundation hopes to pioneer preventive pathways and to popu- larize their use! Arch Environ Ileatth-Vol 21, July 1970