The Dawson Report of 1920

One of the founding documents in the history of epidemiology was the Dawson report, published in England in 1920. Lord Dawson believed health care in a given district should be based upon "Primary Health Centres" which he termed "institutions equipped for services of curative and preventive medicine to be conducted by the general practitioners of that district..." (p.6) Difficult cases requiring special treatment would be referred to 'Secondary Health Centres." Additionally, "Secondary services" would be equipped for the care of infectious diseases and chronic ailments such as epilepsy or mental illness. "Teaching Hospitals," with medical schools, would treat the most difficult illnesses and provide physician training.

Dawson's diagram of an ideal health care system, enhanced with color for clarity, is excerpted above. To view the original diagram, click on the image.

The Concept of Primary Health Care

Health Services Research in an International Context