1920’s

       By Laws indicated the affairs of the Association would be managed by an Executive Council between meetings. At least 10 persons interested in a special phase of public health could apply for Section status. WVPHA adopted resolutions favoring immunization against smallpox and diphtheria before children reached school age; also, to remove quarantines and placards on measles. They favored keeping cases in isolation and educating families on how measles were communicated. They were interested in "Provisions for Health Under the Social Security Act" and heard Surgeon M. V. Ziegler, USPHS, speak on the subject. Sanitarians and Sanitary Engineers became a part of WVPHA. The Association was pleased to learn that West Virginia led the nation in a rural sanitation program.

1940’s

    The 40’s were the war years and several health officers, nurses and others were in the armed services. At one time 20 Sanitarians were on leave to serve their country. There were no minutes of the 1942 meetings, due to the fact that the secretary, Dorothea Campbell, died before she could transcribe them. The 1943 meeting was canceled due to transportation problems; the 1945 meeting was canceled due to a ruling of the WPB that there be no meetings involving more than 50 people; however, district meetings were held. A Lay Committee was formed in the early 40’s to assist the Association with education projects, publicity, School and County Health Councils, etc. A WVPHA committee worked on a bill regarding a retirement fund for Merit System employees, however it did not get out of committee in the Legislature. An institute for clerks was held in 1946 and a Clerical Section was formed in 1947. This was named the Clerical & Vital Statistics Section. By 1949, seven sections made up the Association. They were: Health Officers, Public Health Nursing, Sanitarians, Clerical & Vital Statistics, Industrial Hygiene, Health Education and Venereal Disease.

      An official newsletter, THE VOICE was first published in December 1950. It gave a brief history of the Association; information on the health conference, membership, etc. An official seal for WVPHA was introduced. It was designed by William H. Rost and included a pen to denote education; a syringe to denote prevention; and a test tube to denote diagnoses; crossed with the medical symbol. WVPHA endorsed a "pop tax" on soft drinks, which was to provide revenue to build a 4-year medical school in West Virginia; they opposed a movement to repeal the tax in 1952. The first Certificate of Merit was awarded to Dr. N. H. Dyer, State Director of Health, in 1952. The Association began awarding certificates to state and county health employees for 25 or more years service. The theme of the 1956 conference was "Atomic Warfare and Civil Defense". Other subjects of conferences during the 50’s included "Problems of the Aging", "Public Health Objectives" and "Broadening our Horizons in Public Health". WVPHA promoted rabies control legislation and favored the formation of local and school health councils. They also promoted water fluoridation, which had begun in 36 cities and towns by 1954. The Association co-sponsored the 1956 Conference with the State Department of Health, who was celebrating 75 years of public health in West Virginia. By 1959, eight sections were a part of WVPHA; Health Administration, Laboratory, Clerical & Vital Statistics, Health Education & Medical Services, Public Health Nursing, Sanitarian, Industrial Hygiene, & Mental Health.

     A Planning Committee was established and a plan for selecting recipients of awards was approved. WVPHA sent a resolution to Congress, urging enactment of H.R. Bill #4998, the Community Health Services & Facilities bill, to provide desperately needed health services to our State. The Association joined Southern Branch-APHA. The first delegate to this organization was Dr. B. S. Brake, who was also the delegate to APHA. Safety belts were on display at the 1962 conference. WVPHA encouraged their use and urged the Governor to endorse safety belts for all state vehicles. The APHA passed a resolution on smoking and urged public health workers to provide leadership in educational programs regarding the hazards of smoking. They urged legislation regulating advertisement of cigarettes, etc. WVPHA member Arthur Schultz received an award from Region III, HEW for devising a display concerning the Syphilis Eradication Program. In 1967 WVPHA was invited to participate in a proposal for a state-wide program of Postgraduate Medical Education. The Council sent a resolution to Civil Service, asking for an increase in sick leave for Civil Service employees from 60 to 90 days. They also urged that sick and annual leave be transferred from one agency to another whenever an employee transferred and asked Civil Service to contract for hospital insurance for employees. WVPHA supported an increase from 8 cents to 10 cents a mile for employees who must use their personal cars to perform their assigned duties. Some conference themes included "Meeting New Responsibilities in Public Health", "Closing the Gaps in Public Health – the 20th Century Challenge". Subjects discussed included Water and Air Pollution, The White House Conference on Children & Youth, Alcoholism, Salmonella and others. "Curbstone" Conferences were held on some subjects and some Sections used skits & one-act plays as part of their program. A Certificate of Incorporation was issued to the Association in ’69. Dental Health became a section in 1960 and the Sanitarian & Industrial Hygiene Sections merged to become the Environmental Health Section. "News and Views" became the newsletter for WVPHA in the 60’s.

     Dr. N. H. Dyer, State Health Director, endorsed WVPHA and their plan for a redirection of purpose that will provide a effective leadership in West Virginia. A Legislative Committee was formed. Legislation supported during the 70’s included the national Health Service Corp HR Bill 19249 – the Alcoholism Act of 1970; Venereal Disease legislation. They urged passage of a bill allowing minors to consent to their own medical care, in connection with or for the prevention of pregnancy. They passed a resolution requesting the State Dental Association to lobby in favor of legislative support for the State Health Department's dental division’s program. They were in communication with Civil Service re: a salary survey of state workers. WVPHA sponsored a workshop on Health laws & Legislative Tools. The Clerical & Vital Statistics Section introduced their "Boss of the Year" contest in 1972. Mr. O. R. Lyons became the first recipient of this award. The Association purchased lapel pins for members for the 50th Anniversary in 1974. Senator Jennings Randolph was featured speaker at this event and received the WVPHA Citizen Award. The first "group" award for contributions to public health was awarded to the Moundsville Lions Club. An Operating Code, spelling out the duties of the officers and committees, was introduced to the members. In-Service Training for Clerks was established. Dr. N. H. Dyer left his position as State Health Director in 1977. Friends established a scholarship fund in his honor, to which WVPHA and their members contributed. Senator Edward Kennedy’s health incentive plan, "Ounce of Prevention", was endorsed by the Association. The WV Health Systems sought WVPHA’s assistance in developing a ealth SystemH Health Systems Plan for 1979. WVPHA strongly endorsed bringing Mental Health and Public Health closer together. Conference themes of the 70’s included "Working Together & Liking It", "Living in the Seventies", "Emergency Health Services in West Virginia", "West Virginia’s Year of the Child" and others. Some topics discussed included, The Contemporary Drug Scene and You, Health Education of the Future, Dental Care for the Nation’s Children, Junk Food, among others. Some Sections held Continuing Education programs and panel discussions on various subjects. A Social Services Section was added to the group in the 70’s.

       WVPHA had 3 members serving in various capacities in Southern Branch-APHA, in addition to the regular delegate. The Nutrition Section was established. WVPHA went on record in support of continuing education of a general nature or specific nature, carried on as an organization. They promoted continuing education for clerical personnel; perhaps as a regional workshop twice a year. They requested the State Health Director write county health officers recommending that county health department employees receive the same salary increase as state employees. It was requested that the Governor increase line items for local health from $3.4 to $7.7 million over the next four years. Governor Rockefeller declared September 13-19, 1981 as "Public Health Week" and 1981 as "The Year of Public Health" in West Virginia. One hundred years of public health service was celebrated at the 57th conference. WVPHA began to give recognition for 10-15 years of service; some of this recognition took place during Section meetings. The Association promoted involvement of local community leaders in finding resources available to promote community health. Southern Branch withdrew from APHA and became Southern Health. They held a combined meeting with WVPHA in Charleston in 1983. The theme: "The Workplace – Where Industry and Public Health Meet". Union Carbide and several other industries in the area participated. Twelve states, including West Virginia participated. A workshop for clerks was held at Jackson’s Mill (’83). The Public Health Hall of Fame was established in 1984. Twenty-one persons were inducted the first year. It was discovered that the West Virginia Self-Applied Fluoride School Program ranked in the top 10 in the nation, realizing a 35-40% reduction in tooth decay. The Nutrition Section sponsored part of the SHEC Conference. Public Health Orientation Day for Legislators was held in January 1987 to acquaint members of the Legislature with functions of the Health Department. In September 1987 the Public Health Hall of Fame plaque was unveiled at the Cultural Center. All inductees were invited to the unveiling. Environmental Health and the Clerical Section held workshops at Cedar Lakes. These became annual events and were open to all health department employees. The Clerical & Vital Statistics Section was renamed the Professional Clerical Section. Some Conference themes of the 80’s included: "Behavior and Health", "The Law and Public Health", among others. Subjects discussed included Prescription for Nurturing Care Givers, Nutrition and Cancer, Adolescent Chemical Addiction, and a seminar on Safety and the Workplace. Also available at one conference: Cholesterol Screening and Nutritional Assessment. By 1989 the Sections included: Behavioral Health, Dental, Environmental Health, Health Education, Home Health, Local Health, Nutrition, Professional Clerical, Public Health Nursing and Public Health Retirees (new in ’88).