Surgeon General History in the United States
Surgeon General History of the Surgeon General
Introduction to Surgeon General History
The government appointed the first surgeon general in 1871 to take charge of the Marine Hospital Service, which cared for ill and injured seamen. From 1912 to 1968 the surgeon general headed the U.S. Public Health Service. In that position the surgeon general was responsible for controlling infectious diseases, improving sanitation in rural areas, and other public health activities. In 1968 the Public Health Service became part of a reorganized Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (renamed the Department of Health and Human Services in 1979). No longer responsible for the Public Health Service, the surgeon general assumed responsibility educating the public on health issues of national interest.” (1)
Resources
Notes and References
- Information about Surgeon General History in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia