738 



TABLE 71. -PHS RESEARCH ANO TRAINING GRAN IS AND CONTRACT SUPPORT TO WORLD HEALTH ORGAN IZATION, 

 PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION. AND INSTITUTE OF NUTRITION OF CENTRAL AMERICA AND PANAMA 



1 "NIH Annual Report of International Scientific Activl'ies, fiscal year 1969," op. cit ; see also: "The Participation ol 

 Federal Agencies in International Scientific Programs," op. cit., p. 138. 



FAILURE OF BILL, TO SUPPORT INlt:RXATIOXAL HEALTH TRAINING 



In 1966 a bi]l (H.R. 12453), the Internationa] Health Act of 19G6, 

 was introduced in the Congi-ess.^^^ The purpose of the legislation was 

 to autliorize funds for the training of top-quality health workers in 

 international careers, for the recruiting of young professionals for 

 overseas assignments, for tlie training of mature professionals in lead- 

 ership in international public health, and for the creation of a career 

 service in international health. The bill was aimed at the manpower 

 shortage in international health expertise and at the low })ercentage 

 of Americans on the staff of the World Health Organization. It was 

 supported by the Secretary of DHKW, the Surgeon General, the 

 American I*ublic Health Association, the Association of American 

 Medical Colleges, and the American Medical Association. During hear- 

 ings on this bill in February 1966, there v.as an excellent dialogue 

 among the members of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com- 

 merce together Avith the expert witnesses. WHO and PAHO were men- 

 tioned repeatedly during the hearings as was the fact that international 

 health problems require a different kind of instruction from that pro- 

 vided by the typical American medical school. It was pointed out at 

 the time that there were only three medical schools in the United States 

 which had schools of public health within the framework of the medi- 

 ral school itself. In spite of this support and the need to correct a defect 

 in medical education, the legislation was not passed, failing to get out 

 of the Rules Committee. Presumably this inaction is attributable to 

 the low priority attached to the measure, as no opposition was recorded. 

 No subsequent legislation has been introduced for the special training 

 of international health specialists or health diplomats. 



""■1 T'..S. Confess. House. Cnuiniittee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. "International 

 Health Act of 1966." Hearings, February 15 anrl 16, 1960. 89th Congress, second session. 

 (Washington, U.9. Government Printing OfTm', 1966). 



