140 A HISTORY OF NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATION 



WYOMING PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION 



The Wyoming Public Health Association is a direct outgrowth 

 from the Christmas seal sale. The association was formed in 

 1916, following a Christmas seal sale conducted by the National 

 Tuberculosis Association the preceding year. 



With a population of no more than that of the city of Syracuse 

 or Scranton, Wyoming, in both 1916 and 1917 won the National 

 per capita banner for the sale of Christmas seals, selling over a 

 million in 1917. 



Wyoming was the last state in the Northwest Division (perhaps 

 in the U. S.) to form and organize a public health association. It 

 is the youngest in anti-tuberculosis work. 



When the association was started there was practically no in- 

 terest in tuberculosis work. The State Board of Health was 

 largely apathetic, and in the state at large tuberculosis was not 

 supposed to be a problem of sufficient moment to be given consid- 

 eration. 



The Wyoming Public Health Association has clearly demon- 

 strated that tuberculosis is not only a serious problem, but the 

 most serious disease problem of the state. Surveys have clearly 

 established this fact. As a result of these surveys, the Christmas 

 seal sale, the Modern Health Crusade and other methods of edu- 

 cation, there are now five public health nurses doing tuberculosis 

 work, and a number of other nurses will soon be actively engaged 

 in different parts of the state. The State Board of Health has 

 been completely reorganized, and a full-time health officer has 

 been secured. Legislation is being considered to make provision 

 for tuberculous patients. The largest financial interests in the 

 state are taking an active part in the tuberculosis campaign. 

 What it means to arouse interest in a state with so sparse a popu- 

 lation as that of Wyoming and an area equal to all of the New 

 England states is difficult for one who has not lived in Wyoming 

 to appreciate. The steady development of interest in tubercu- 

 losis and public health in that state is highly gratifying to those 

 who have been in close touch with it. 



The headquarters of the Wyoming Public Health Association 

 are located at Industrial Club, Box 637, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 

 and the executive secretary is Miss Etta M. Dobbin. 



