Survey of a medically indigent population in South Dallas, Texas, 1969.

Abstract

Dr. Thompson is an intern at the University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Salt Lake City. Dr. Luby is assistant professor of internal medicine, and Dr. Barnett is professor of internal medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas. Dr. Dewlett is director of public health, Citv of Dallas Public Health Department, and Dr. Vandersloot is an intern in the Tucson Medical Education Program, Tucson, Ariz. Dr. Reavis is director, Crossroads Community Study, Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Reagan is director, Institute of Urban and Environmental Studies, Southern Methodist University. Mrs. Jo Faye Godbey, Southern Methodist University, helped to organize the survey. This study was supported in part by Health Services and Mental Health Administration grant No. 73025-0,1-68 BR to the City of Dallas Public Health Department. Copies of the survey questionnaire, instructions to interviewers, and tearsheets are available from James P. Luby, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Tex. 75235. FOUR census tracts in south Dallas, Tex., were surveyed during September and October 1969 to determine the health needs of the predominantly nonwhite residents. The study was the first comprehensive health survey of this area, although a 1964 citywide immunization survey included a sample from these census tracts. The purpose of the survey was to provide a data base for the development of health care delivery systems. It was conducted under contract between the City of Dallas Public Health Department and the Institute of Urban Studies of Southern Methodist University, in cooperation with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Due to the recent poliomyelitis and diphtheria epidemics in Texas, a primary emphasis of the survey was to determine the immunization status of the residents. Sixty-six cases of poliomyelitis had been reported in Texas in 1966, predominantly in the south and south-central portions of the State (1). Diphtheria had been epidemic in Austin and Travis Counties in 1967 and 1968 (2). And after completion of our survey in 1970, an extensive diphtheria epidemic (more than 100 cases) occurred in San Antonio. This epidemic arQused national concern.