History of Health Education

By Estefania Olivas
  • 1600 BCE

    Smith Papyri

    Oldest written documents pertaining to healthcare; describe surgical techniques.
  • 1500 BCE

    First Written Hygienic Code

    Formulated by the Hebrews. Listed in the biblical book of Leviticus; includes information of protection from infectious diseases, sanitation, protection of water and food supplies, and disposal of human waste.
  • 500 BCE

    Hippocratic Oath is Written

    Hippocrates wrote oath for physicians to swear to specific ethical standards when healing/treating their patients
  • Jan 1, 1346

    Bubonic Plague Starts

    A.K.A the Black Death; most severe epidemic in the world, causing more deaths than any war or national disaster in history.
  • Jun 7, 1492

    Syphilis Epidemic Starts

    STD epidemic in the Middle Ages which killed thousands of people.

  • Massachusetts Passes Law for Smallpox Quarantines

    This law was set to prevent contagion of smallpox by isolating infected patients.

  • First Life Expectancy Tables Developed

    Dr Edward Wigglesworth developed the first life expectancy tables for the US

  • Louis Pasteur Proposes Germ Theory of Disease

    Pasteur discovered how microorganisms reproduce, and developed technique to pasteurize milk.

  • Congress Creates the National Board of Health

    This board had 7 members appointed by the president, and its goals were to provide grants to state boards of health, and give money to universities for health related research.

  • Reform Phase of Public Health Starts

    Reform phase which went form 1900 to 1920. Urban areas were expanded, and federal regulations were passed regarding the food industry. Also, the movement for healthier working conditions was started.

  • First Full Time County Health Departments Formed in the US

    Formed in Guilford County, North Carolina, and Yakima County, Washington.

  • American Cancer Society is Founded

    Founded by 10 doctors in New York City.

  • National Institute of Health is Created

    Ransdell Act converted the Hygienic Laboratory to the NIH, with the goals of learning the cause, prevention, and cure of diseases.

  • Hill Burton Act is Passed

    Congress passes act with goals to improve the distribution and overall quality of hospitals

  • Medicare and Medicaid are Created

    Federal government passes major legislation to improve health of the US population. Medicare was created to assist in the payment of medical bills for the elderly, and Medicaid was created for poor US individuals.

  • National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is Founded

    This developed national standards for school health education teachers.

  • Healthy People 2000 is Released

    Major publication promoting health and well-being in the US.

  • Second Edition of National Health Education Standards is released

    Released by the American Cancer Society, with goals to improve educational achievement in schools; promoted easily accesible health education for individuals.

  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is Signed

    President Barrack Obama signed this act, which expanded health coverage to 31 million uninsured Americans. This bill also provides better access to clinical prevention services and promotes wellness programs.

  • Healthy People 2020 is Released

    This publication will guide US public health practice and health education professionals for the next 10 years