This book examines in detail the problems of mother and child health everywhere, with particular emphasis on tropical and under-developed countries. This edition has been thoroughly revised throughout, and enlarged by the addition of new chapters, information, and a large number of new illustrations. It is not intended to be a comprehensive text, but rather to present a public health philosophy which is relevant in today's world and probably always will be. As long as the inequality of resources between 'north' and 'south' ...
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This book examines in detail the problems of mother and child health everywhere, with particular emphasis on tropical and under-developed countries. This edition has been thoroughly revised throughout, and enlarged by the addition of new chapters, information, and a large number of new illustrations. It is not intended to be a comprehensive text, but rather to present a public health philosophy which is relevant in today's world and probably always will be. As long as the inequality of resources between 'north' and 'south' persists, efforts to change health and nutrition status will not be dramatic or long-lasting, and malnutrition and high mortality will go unhalted. Prevention of infection, improved child care, and maternal education may be the most helpful interventions. The key to health rests within the community, which should harness local resources rather than depend on expensive imports or commercial alternatives (e.g. human milk substitutes). The mother is the key to the success of maternal and child health services, and unless her health and status are given major importance, the benefits of services on family health will not be long-term. There is a new chapter in this edition on mothers' health problems. Health programmes cannot be mass produced: each has to be tailor-made to the local setting. Services have to be not only extensive and intensive but also comprehensive, continuous, spiced with enthusiasm, and laced with common sense.
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