Antituberculosis consortium founded in Rijeka (Croatia): implementation of public health measures between 1924-1945

Abstract

Between two World Wars the city of Rijeka was a port and industrial town whose infrastructure failed to provide adequate living conditions for numerous workers and their families. Insufficient organization of the health care system, poor living conditions-especially among the poor, low hygienic standards combined with a large number of transitory citizens made city and its citizens vulnerable to tuberculosis. Between 1924-1945 Rijeka was a part of the Kingdom of Italy. Therefore, the fight against tuberculosis was organised according to Italian public health plan and laws. In 1925, Antituberculosis consortium was founded in order to organise and coordinate antituberculosis activities in the city region. Despite its ambitious administrative measures it was unsuccessful in the field: Rijeka had a high mortality and morbidity rate due to tuberculosis. This article is based on unpublished archival material.