National Anthropological Archives

Guide to the Navajo-Cornell Field Health Research Project records, 1956-1960

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.1989-63
Creators:
United States. Public Health Service
Cornell University. Medical College. Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Dates:
1956-1960
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
44.5 Linear feet
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of case files. The camp files, which are individual files organized by numbers assigned to Navajo camps, are the fullest files. They generally include records of clinic visits, checklists of routine studies, personal records, diagnostic sheet, medical history questionnaires, physical examination forms, notes, immmunization records, laboratory reports, and referral notices. Some have a few additional records. Some folders are marked to indicate that the patients were part of a congenital hip study. The other folders often include only a record of clinic visits and notes.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 3 series: (1) Camp records; (2) referral and other records; (3) camp members book collection.

Historical note

Historical note
The project resulted from a contract between the Indian Health Division of the United States Public Health Service and the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine of the Cornell University College of Medicine. Its primary purpose was to provide modern health care to Navajos and to determine the effects of their culture on health care. Its broader purpose was to serve as a pilot for providing health care to people in other undeveloped areas. The project operations in the Many Farms-Rough Rock area of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. The records here were involved in one of the first problems encountered by the project, that of the inadequacy of ordinary means of matching patients to case files.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Clifford Barnett.
Processing Information
The collection is unprocessed. Contact the repository for more information.

Using the Collection

The collection is stored off-site. Advanced notice must be given to view the collection.
Conditions Governing Access
Material is restricted due to privacy concerns. Contact the repository for more information.
Access to the Navajo-Cornell Field Health Research Project records requires an appointment.
Preferred Citation
Navajo-Cornell Field Health Research Project records, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.

Related Materials
The Medical Center Archives of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell holds related materials in the Records of the Navaho Cornell Field Health Project.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Diné (Navajo) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Navajo Indian Reservation Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Public health Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
North America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Medical anthropology Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu