Finding Out About Health Needs in the District

Abstract

The five key questions in community diagnosis of sickness are raised in this quotation. Who becomes sick? Where? When? With what? and Why? The same five questions are also applied to identifying health care resources; Who is providing care? What? Where? When? And we need to ask Why? as well for there are many different reasons why a particular pattern of health service develops. In order to decide what actions are needed in a district these two sets of five questions need to be asked to identify the specific problems and the resources available to deal with them.

When therefore a physician comes to a district previously unknown, its situation and its aspect to the winds must be considered. This is of the greatest importance and the effect of each season of the year must be studied. Similarly the nature of the water supply must be considered; then the soil, whether it be bare and waterless or thickly covered with vegetation. Is the area hollow and stifling or exposed and cold. Lastly consider the life of the inhabitants themselves; are they heavy drinkers and eaters and consequently unable to withstand fatigue or, being fond of work and exercise eat wisely and drink sparely?

Hippocrates: Airs, Waters, Places