: notina © *. Clin, Ep. s of Reddy ee UR “Any Jan Weta bolisn S.J. Clin, and total # 36. NOTICE: This material may be protected by a. Copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Cede) . Health Survey of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands . ALICE M. HETZEL, B.S. IN THE SUMMER of 1948 the U.S.S. Whidbey began the voyage from island to island that, before its completion, was to take it through the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Underthe auspices of the United States Navy, a survey staff aboard the WAzdbey was undertaking a survey of health and sanitary conditions. The ultimate goal of the survey was a physical examination of every inhabitant. These islands, with the exception of Guam in the Marianas, then designated as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (fig. 1), were the former Japanese mandated islands. Invaded and occupied by American military forces during World War II, responsibility for civil administration of the islands was placed with the Navy, pending the enactment of legislation by Congress designating the permanent governing authority. Under direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet served as High Com- missioner of the trust territory. The trusteeship agreement of the United Nations directed the United States to care for and improve the health of the inhabitants. It was recognized immediately that a broad general health-service policy must be established to meet the need for improvement of the health and hygiene in the islands. Asa result of the war the natives Were in a state of emotional shock. They had been displaced from their homes, their food had been confiscated, trade and industry had been abandoned, and schools were nonexistent. Medical needs had long been neglected. The islanders, a primitive people who had been Xposed to the diseases of civilization against which they had no : racial immunity, were unable to support doctors, dentists, and nurses 1 private practice or to maintain hospitals, dispensaries, or depart- Ments of public health: ——— From Medical Statisties Division, Bur eau of Medicine and Surgery, Depart nt of the Navy, Washington, D.C. "BER 1959 1199