Public Health in Florida – Yesteryear
Public Health in Florida – Yesteryear FLORIDA'S PUBLIC HEALTH CENTENNIAL William J. Bigler Department of Health 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Reprinted with permission from Florida Journal of Public Health, Vol. 1, No. 3, May, 1989, p. 7-19. Figure 1. Cover of Florida Journal of Public Health Vol. 1, No.3 May 1989. ____________________________________________________________ In 1989 William J. Bigler, Ph.D, was Deputy State Epidemiologist for the HRS State Health Office, Disease Control and AIDS Prevention Program. He was initially employed by the Florida State Board of Health 34 years ago as a biologist, has since served in HRS Health Programs as Research Coordinator, Epidemiology Program Supervisor and Biological Administrator, and is currently Senior Epidemiologist with the Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology. 2 Abstract Florida's State Board of Health (SBH) was created on February 20, 1889. Historical records during the next century, document that public health programs and policies have influenced the state's political, social and economic infrastucture as well as the quality of life of it's populace. Quarantine, fumigation, vaccination, sanitation, and public education were initially used to control yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, smallpox, and cholera. World War I brought venereal disease (VD) and epidemics of influenza, dengue fever and plague were encountered shortly thereafter. Statewide mosquito control efforts made the state more habitable. Then hurricanes wreaked havoc when the Great Depression caused massive cuts in budgets and programs. Federal "relief" programs provided some funds for health needs, but not enough. VD was again a problem during World War II. Health care for military dependents, the exploding population and industrial development brought new challenges.
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