PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W B Hurlburt

Publications and source records attributed to W B Hurlburt.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Cancer incidence in Alaska natives.

A survey of cancer incidence among Alaska Natives for the 5-year period 1969-73 revealed fewer cancer cases overall than expected in relation to US rates, but significantly increased risk for certain cancer sites: the nasopharynx in both sexes (with excesses over 15-fold), the liver in males, and the salivary glands, gallbladder, kidney and thyroid in females. Compared with earlier reports, the observations suggest marked changes in cancer incidence among Alaska Natives over the past two decades, with declines in esophageal and invasive cervical cancers, and increases in cancers of the lung, colon and rectum.

Adolescent↗

Health care programs for scattered populations.

Health care for scattered populations is discussed. An optimal system applying current technology is described emphasizing the economic supportability of such a system. This is accomplished by basing the system on health auxiliaries and middle level health personnel who have undergone problem oriented training and who receive regular supervision. The Alaska Native Health Program is described in detail. Several other health care systems in use in sparsely populated areas of the world are reported on. Emergency care as a particular and essential aspect of any health care program for isolated populations is discussed. Finally future trends including current experiments utilizing satellite technology are reported on.

Alaska↗

The Indian Health Service record of achievement.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) was transferred from the Department of Interior to the Public Health Service in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1955. At that time, the general health of Indian people substantially lagged behind the rest of the U.S. population. This gap was reflected in mortality rates which were several-fold higher for Indians, or reflected in time; there were decades between the dates when the U.S. population achieved certain lower death rates compared with the dates when similar reductions were achieved by Indians. As a result of preventive health programs, improvements in sanitation, and the development of a number of medical advances, substantial progress has been achieved in improving the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Life expectancy of Indians has increased 20 years between 1940 and 1980. From 1955 through 1982, the death rate for Indian infants dropped by 82 percent. Also, the age-adjusted death rate for tuberculosis decreased from 57.9 per 100,000 population in 1955 to 3.3 in 1983. These and other improvements are summarized in this paper.

Adolescent↗