AMERICAN CHILD HEALTH ASSOCIATION PAPERS
Scope and Content Note
One of the more curious measures of success for an organization or individual
concerns one's ability to "work yourself out of a job." In a certain sense this phrase
summarizes the history of the American Child Health Association, an important child
welfare organization of the 1920's and early 1930's.
The ACHA was organized in 1923 as a consolidation of the American Child
Hygiene Association and the Child Health Organization, but its history goes back to
first decade of the century when health conditions in most of America's larger cities
were deplorable at best. This was before the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act
of 1906, and community standards governing sanitation and safe milk were either very
lax or non-existent. Infant mortality was a serious problem, but reformers would find it
impossible to accurately measure the progress they were making because few cities
kept birth records. In 1907 the American Academy of Medicine sent Dr. Helen C.
Putnam to London as a delegate to the Second International Conference on School
Hygiene.
Deeply disturbed by what she heard at the conference, Dr. Putnam convinced
the Academy to conduct a Conference on the Prevention of Infant Mortality in
November 1910. The conference led to the establishment of the American Association
for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality. The Association's efforts over the next
eight years resulted in a rapid and significant reduction in infant mortality. It was an
important first step for AASPIM was the only national organization devoted entirely to
the health of children but, even so, its scope was confined to infant mortality and did
not address the health problem of older children.
Meanwhile, the First World War focused attention on child health problems in
Europe. In their efforts to avert starvation in northern France and Belgium, Herbert
Hoover's nutrition consultants became aware of the correlation between an adequate
diet and the physical development of young children. They also became aware of the
need for basic research in regard to nutritional requirements and to validate standard
measures of child development. Hoover's wartime experiences led him to observe that
"My vivid experience with millions of children in Europe naturally turned my mind to
examine our own house. Our army draft experience during the war had brought to the
surface apalling defects in health and education. There had been over 30 per cent of
rejects in the draft for these reasons." Back in the United States other health care
reformers were coming to similar conclusions.
In 1918 AASPIM's newly elected president, Dr. Josephine S. Baker, called a
special meeting at which she urged her colleagues to pay attention to other child health
issues in addition to infant mortality. Dr. Baker's colleagues agreed and adodpted a
new name, the American Child Hygiene Association, to reflect this broader orientation.
A similar organization, the Child Health Organization, was also established in 1918. Its
goals included raising public consciousness in regard to public health problems and the
importance of teaching good health practices in the schools. A pilot program, launched
in 1917, suggested that such programs would he very effective in improving the health
of elementary age children. The formation of CHO was intended to encourage and
assist local school systems in developing health education curricula.
In addition to the American Child Hygiene Association and the Child Health
Organization, several smaller organizations were also attempting to focus public
attention on child health problems. Unfortunately, they lacked unity of purpose and
had little success in attracting public attention. Hoover sensed this and, in a speech to
the American Child Hygiene Association on October 11, 1920, proposed a national
action program. He later explained that his goal "was to obtain the support of these
devoted men for a plan to consolidate the half-dozen scattered associations dealing
with child health problems into a strong national organization." After Hoover became
president of the Child Hygiene Association in 1921, negotiations between the two
major organizations led to the formation, in 1923, of a new organization, the American
Child Health Association.
The new organization was very successful in getting the attention of the public
by transforming the traditional May Day into Child Health Day. Established in 1924, it
was being celebrated in every state and the territory of Hawaii only three years later.
One reporter insisted that "The publicity given to [Child Health Day] was second only
to . .such events as the Dempsey-Tunney fight, the Lindberg flight, and the World Series.
" Part of the reason for this success was a widely publicized, national survey (1924-25)
of health conditions in 86 cities whose populaltion ranged from 40 to 70,000. The
survey revealed that: 41 cities had no full-time health official, that half of the cities had
no reliable child birth/mortality records, that vaccinations were not required in 37 cities,
that pasteurization of the milk supply was required in only 8 cities (47 cities pasteurized
less than half of the milk supplied), and that there was no health instruction in 21 cities.
The publication of these results shocked the nation and were very effective in
stirring up local demand for improvements. Hoover later proudly recalled that "our
published plan for ideal community organization became a bible for many a belligerent
mother's society." An additional incentive for improvement lay in the ratings which
accompanied the survey. By 1927, 82 cities in 24 states had conducted follow-up
studies, assisted by ACHA field representatives. These follow-up studies carried
considerable weight with the public because they were based on a research model
developed by ACHA staff members between 1925 and 1927. The model provided a
set of standards that could be applied consistently by field investigators. These
standards made it possible to determine whether children were "healthy" and to
measure a commuity's progress in health promotion.
Other ACHA projects included the improvement of infant mortality statistics, a
campaign to improve the safety of the milk supply, better medical care for Indian
mothers and children, a study of the midwife situation in the south, the improvement of
rural, child health in both the United States and Puerto Rico, campaigns to abolish child
labor abuses, and a radio talk show. A yearly report of infant mortality statistics
provided incentives for better records keeping, including birth registration, and other
efforts to lower the infant death rate. Significant reductions in infant mortality were
soon realized as a result of the ACHA's safe milk campaign. By 1930 a report issued by
the White House Conference on Child Health noted that the ACHA sponsored Standard
Milk Ordinance had been adopted by 247 communities and that 183 additional cities
had enacted watered-down versions of the standard ordinance. An even greater reason
for rejoicing, however, was to be found in the announcement that diarrhea from impure
milk was no longer the chief cause of infant mortality.
Studies of conditions on Indian reservations led to the establishment of an
Indian Nursing service staffed by Indian nurses. Federal funding also provided for the
training of Indian nurses. Another ACHA study found shocking conditions in the South
where the scarcity of doctors and a predominately rural population had led to the
practice of midwifery. Alerted to the problems, state health departments eliminated
many of the midwives and required the rest to take prescribed training courses.
In 1930 Hoover requested that ACHA send a group of investigators to Puerto
Rico to study child health conditions. As a result of the group's report, plans were made
to distribute milk to undernourished babies, provide school lunches for older children
and to establish a full-time health service. Money to fund these programs came from the
American Relief Administration children's Fund which Hoover had established in the
early 1920's.
Other ACHA studies highlighted the need for improved rural child health
agencies throughout the United States and the regulation of child labor. These measures
were controversial and were resisted by a few reluctrant congressmen and some of the
more backward states. As a result, provisions for improved rural health care and
effective child labor laws were delayed until the late 1930's.
In 1931 a radio talk show began. Charles K. Field, who soon became known as
"Cheerio," was one of Hoover's friends from Stanford's days and a popular radio
broadcaster for radio station WEAF in New York. Field donated his services and
conducted a very popular weekly program for the benefit of shut-ins of all ages. The
program had no sponsors but was funded by donations from several organizations who
were interested in the promotion of child health. Due to its popularity, the program
produced a lot of fan mail and comments from the public. When the program was
discontinued in 1934 there was a storm of protest from Field's many listeners.
By 1934 ACHA began to feel that they could turn over their work to state and
local health officials. Their initial goals of focusing public attention on child health
problem and providing encouragement and assistance to health care professionals and
educators had been realized. State govermnents and local commities had responded to
the challenge posed by the 1925 survey to provide educational and preventative
programs and public health nursing programs. Additional educational programs were
being carried on by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other child welfare organizations.
Smallpox and diptheria had been conquered, unsafe milk was no longer the chief cause
of deaths among infants, and the overall infant mortality rate had declined by 70%.
With this record of accomplishment behind it, and the continuing expansion of state and
local programs as a good omen for the future, the executive committee of the ACHA
agreed to disband in 1935.
The history of the organization and the development of ACHA's programs are
well documented in Herbert Hoover's papers in the Hoover Presidential Library. These
papers amount to over 22 linear feet of correspondence, memoranda, reports, charts
and ACHA publications and other printed matter. These files provide excellent insights
into the development and accomplishments of ACHA surveys, programs and publicity
campaigns. The correspondence and personnel files also contain information concerning
the careers and public service of many physicans, educators and public health
professionals during this important period in the development of public health care
systems.
Information concerning the disbanding of the ACHA in 1935 my also be found
in the papers of its secretary, James Spear Taylor, and in the papers of the Belgian
American Educational Foundation, the organization which eventually became a parent
for the American Relief Administration Children's Fund and several of Herbert Hoover's
many educational and humanitarian interests.
Folder List
Box Contents
1.
A Miscellaneous
Abbott, Grace See under: U.S. Department of Labor
Adair, Fred L., 1923
Administration: Committee on, 1923
Agriculture and Child Health, 1924-1925
Amalgamation
Child Health Organization to form A.C.H.A., 1919-1923 & undated
Committee of
National Tuberculosis Association, 1931
American Child Health Association, 1922-1923
American Child Hygiene Association
1921 April--October
1921 November--December
1922 January--June
2.
1922 July--December
Cases, etc.
Reports, printed matter, etc.
American Public Health Association
American Relief Administration
Children's Funds
1923
1924-1928
American Pediatric Society--Outline
Appeals
1922-1923 & undated
Form letters
for Funds--ARA, 1923
Memoranda
Opposed to
Pledges
3.
Publicity on suggested appeal, 1931
Results
Applications
Appreciation, praise, congratulations, etc.
Articles
Breckinridge, Aida de Acosta "Story of the American Child Health"
Crumbine, Dr. S.J. "The Child's Vacation"
Irwin, Will
"Homemade Ice Box"
"Saving the American Child"
Rickard, Edgar "National Child Health Day"
Ascariasis--Survey of, in children in the U.S.
Associations
Audit
1925
of Child Health Organization, 1920
B Miscellaneous
Belgium
Belgian Child Health Report
Belgians, Queen of (Elizabeth)-1925
Bill of Rights, Childs
Budget--See Financial
Buildings etc.--see Office
C Miscellaneous
4.
Carnegie Corporation
"Cheerio" 1928-1933
Chicago Worlds Fair, 1931
Child Conservation Conference
Child Conservation League of America
Child Health
News
Organization
Child Labor
"The Normal Child"
Child's Song of Growth
Child Welfare Committee of America
Printed Matter and Correspondence, 1923-1925
Children's Bureau
Churches
Circular Letters, etc.
5.
City Tax, 1934-1935
Clippings, 1923-1927
Commercial Organizations, Manufacturers, Mercantile Activities-
Co-operation
Committee
Executive, meetings of
See Also: Meetings
1923-1924
1925
1926
1927
1928-1929
1930-1934
6
Executive Memos, Corres., etc.
Future plans and support
General Data
Nominations
Organizations
Commonwealth Fund
Community Chests, 1923-1924
Conferences
ARA Children’s Fund, 1923-1924
International Child Health, 1925
International Health Education Conference, 1923
National Child Welfare Conference
See: Publications and Printed Matter
Constitution and By-Laws of
Contracts, 1920-1923
Convention
Convention Proposed Atlantic City, 1926
"The Cooper Bill"
Co-operation with other Organizations
Copyright Records
Assignment of Copyrights
Transfer of Copyrights
Corte-Scope Company
See: Publisher
7.
Criticisms
D Miscellaneous
Demonstrations
General
Fargo, N.D.
Mansfield, Ohio
Richland County, Ohio
Programs, Surveys
Surveys, etc., Health Survey in 86 Cities
Dental Health, 1923
Directors
1923-1924
Board of Meetings
Donations, Gifts, etc.
Draft Figures
E Miscellaneous
8.
Emerson, Dr. William R.P., 1923
Exhibits, films, lantern slides, posters, etc.
F Miscellaneous
Federal Councils of Churches
Field Work
Financial
See also: Liquidation
Assistance by A.R.A. & A.R.A.C.F. TO A.C.H.A., 1922-1929
Audits See: Audit
Budget
Committee on
1923
1924-1925
1926
1929
9.
Budget Expenditures--Summary of
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
Cash Payments by A.R.A.
See also: Liquidation: Payments Made on Account of ACHA
Children's Fund to A.C.H.A.
1927-1930
10.
1931-1933
1934-1935
Donations, Gifts See: Donations, Gifts
E.M. Flesh File (Treas.)
General
1923 (a folders)
1924
1925
11.
1926-27
1928
Baker, George B., 1923-27
Crandall, Mrs. Ella Phillips, 1924
Crumbine, Dr. S.J.
1925
1926
1927
1928-29
Dinwiddie, Courtenay
1923
12.
1924
Five Years of the ACHA
Goldsmith, Cliff 1924-25
Hoover, Herbert, 1923-26
Kelly, M. (Auditor)
1923
1924
1925
Ledgers
See: Ledgers
Minutes of Meetings
1923-24
13.
1925-27
Page, Frank, 1923
Potter, P.B.K., 1924
Puerto Rico
See:
1. Puerto Rico: Child Feeding Fund
2. Puerto Rico: Child Health Commission
3. Puerto Rico: Emergency Fund
Rickard, Edgar, 1923-25
Sawtelle, R.H., 1923-27
Van Ingen, Phillip, 1924-26
Walter, R. (Auditor)
1925
1926
1927
1928
14.
Miscellaneous Financial Statements
Rockefeller, Laura Spellman Memorial, 1923-26
School Health Program 1926 and undated
Estimated Budget, 1926-28
Gift Bonds, 1934
Receipts & Disbursements
See Also:: Liquidation: Payments Made on Account of
ACHA
1929
1930
1931
1932
15.
1933
1934
1935
Statements of Income & Expense Accounts, 1931
Statements of Financial Conditions, 1935
Form Letters, 1922-1923
G Miscellaneous
Gilbreth, Lilliam M., 1932-1935
H Miscellaneous
Health Education Committee
Health Education Division
I Miscellaneous
Indian Hospital
Infant Mortality
1923-1925
Statistical Reports
Insignia & Symbol
Insurance Scheme
J Miscellaneous
16.
K Miscellaneous
Kelly, Miss Florence
L Miscellaneous
Labor Department See: U.S. Department of Labor
League of Women Voters
Ledgers
Bank Accounts
Payroll
Petty Cash
Legislation
Liquidation
Babbitt, Ellen C., 1936
Furniture Sale, 1935-1936
17.
Lease and Sub-Lease, 1931-1938
Liquidation Committee Meeting of, 1935
MacMillan Company
Minutes of Meetings, 1935 March--October
Miscellaneous
1935
1936
1937-1938
National Education Association
School Health Education
1935-1936
1937-1940
Neighborhood Health Developement
Dr. Palmer
1935-1937
1938-1941
18.
Payments made on Account of A.C.H.A. (small bills)
Pennsylvania Emergency Child Health Committee
Personnel Retirement
Reserves for Publication of History
Rickard, Edgar, 1935
Special Bank Account -New York Trust Co.,
Sub-Lease to Wm. A. White & Sons
Whitney, Anne 1936
Lists
MC Miscellaneous
M Miscellaneous
Magazine
Committee
Child Health Bulletin--Registration of name
Mother and Child
19.
"Mothercraft Series"
Keller, D.F.
1924-1929
1934-1936
The Spy Glass, 1933
Miscellaneous., 1923-1924
Maternity Center Association
May Day
1924 February--March
1924 April--June
1924 July--December & Undated
1925
20.
1925 May Day Booklet (1)
1925 May Day Booklet (2)
1925 January--April
1925 May--December & Undated
1926 January--March
1926 April--December & Undated
21.
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931 (2 folders)
1932
1934
Presidential Proclamation-Child Health Day, 1930
Medical Services, 1923-1928 & undated
Meetings
See Also:
l. Committee: Executive, Meetings of
2. Financial: E.M. Flesh Files: Minutes of Meetings
Annual
October 15, 1923
Business, 1926-1934
Chief's Speech, October 15, 1923
New York City, 1926
Washington, D.C., 1927
22.
Atlantic City, N.J., 1926
Havana, Cuba 1927 February
Kansas City, Missouri October 15, 1924
Meloney, Mrs. William B., 1926-1932
Membership, 1922-1923 & undated
See Also: card file
Memoranda, 1922-1923
Milbank Memorial Fund
Milk, 1924-1927
Milk Survey, 1923-1925
Model Home-Rockefeller Center
Mother's Day, 1923-1924
N Miscellaneous
23.
National Child Welfare Association, 1919-1931 undated
National Health Council
1923-1926
1927-1930
1931-1935
National Organizations
National Social Work Council
Neighborhood Health Developement
Report for 1938
News Service-American Child Health News
Newspapers
O Miscellaneous
24.
Office
Buildings, quarters, headquarters, etc.
Organizations-Equipment & services
Reorganization as of 1925
Organizations
P Miscellaneous
Personnel
Baker, George B., 1923-1933
Beeuwkees, Col. H., 1923-1925
Bolt, Dr. Richard L., 1923
Breckinridge, Mrs. Aida de Acost Root
1923-1924
1925-1926
1927
1928-1929
1930-1931
1932-1933
26.
Chesley, Dr. A.J., 1924-1927
Crandall, Miss 1923-1924
Crumbine, Dr. S.J.
1923-1925
1926
1927-1932
1933-1942
Daily,.Arthur T., 1924
27.
Dinwiddie, Courtenay, 1923-1924
Flesh, Edward M., 1923-1927
Glover, Katherine, 1923-1931
Hamill, Samuel, 1932-1937
Harris, Miss, 1924
Hartford, Ione P., 1930
Herter, C.A., 1923-1924
Holt, Dr. L. Emmett, 1923-1924
Hoover, Herbert
1923-1931 & undated
American Child Hygiene Association
Child Welfare Organizations
Jean, Sally Lucas 1918-1924
Leete, Harriet L., 1923
28
McBride, Mary M., 1926-1930
Page, Frank C., 1923
Palmer, George T., 1924-1933
Potter, Phillip, 1923-1924
Reese, Helen W., 1923
Rickard, Edgar, 1924-1925
Sibbald, Miss, 1923-1924
Tapping, Miss Amy, 1923-1931
Tomlin, Arthur, 1923-1929
Tomlinson, Bertha, 1925-1929
Van Ingen, Dr. Phillip, 1921-1925
Walther, Robert, 1929-1936
Whilney, Anne, 1924-1934
Appointment of Staff
Directors of A.C.H.A.
Officers of A.C.H.A.
Miscellaneous
A--Mc
M--Z
Policy--Miscellaneous
29.
Postage Meter Data
Press Comment
Press Releases
Press Releases-Correspondence
Press Service
Press Summaries
Programs
Programs and Policy
Psychology
Public Health Service
Publications, Division of
See Also:
1. Magazine
2. May Day: May Day Booklet, 1925
30.
Publications--Division of,
Report
1926 March
1926 April
1926 May
Publications and Printed Matter
Annual and Quarterly Reports
1922
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