The purpose of this presentation is to explore the history of public health nursing in the rural South during the 1920s and 1930s.  Special attention will focus on rural North Carolina with case examples from Mississippi as a comparison.

This presentation will explore the dynamics of rural health nursing, the effect of the economic crisis on public health, and the additional barriers to health care for blacks related to utilization of services, education, and race relations.  Emphasis will highlight challenges to the health and well being of blacks living in the rural South during this period.