Many of the problems in public health, particularly those of disease prevention and the control of the environment, which stimulated the development of professional education, have persisted. The horizon of public health, however, has broadened to encompass all problems associated with the improvement of social as well as physical conditions which affect the health of the individual in his community, be it local, state, or the world. Problems associated with the better planning for utilization and development of resources for the provision of more adequate health services for all people present many different facets for the public health workers. There is a new emphasis on problems of environmental control, resulting from increased population, rapid expansion of industry, changes in transportation, and our mode of living, combating the increase in chronic diseases and emotional health conditions, meeting the challenges associated with the serious nature of the many poor health practices, and the lack of sound health education that characterizes a large segment of our population. Furthermore, there is renewed emphasis on prevention and greater participation of citizens in sharing responsibility with professional health personnel and legislative bodies in finding solutions to these problems. Qualified manpower to provide the leadership and to coordinate the efforts and contributions of these various segments of society is in short supply. This places a heavy burden on institutions of higher learning, and particularly on schools of public health, in fulfilling their social responsibility. The phenomenal growth of knowledge related to health problems and the rapid expansion of technologies useful in the realistic application of this knowledge to a variety of complex and rapidly changing situations present serious challenges. A diversity of skills is needed.
Professional education in public health at Michigan has recognized the importance of diversity and balance in the preparation of public health personnel since the establishment of the Division of Hygiene and Public Health in 1921. The approach to professional education has been comprehensive rather than restrictive. It has aimed to prepare students not only to meet the current health needs of society but to anticipate the possible solution of