Medical Care in a South African Township

A personal history: social medicine in a South African setting, 1952-5. Part 2: Social medicine as a calling: ups, downs, and politics in Alexandra Township

“…Published under our collective authorship, one might make a modest claim for material in the paper then unique. 4 We sustained our collective practice at Alexandra for some four years in all. Hectic and extremely demanding, the work was also full of unanticipated rewards.…”

Mervyn Susser (1921–2014): Fighter for Social Justice and Pioneer in Epidemiology

“…The Lancet published their study of community health, "Medical Care in a South African Township" in 1955. 3 Susser and Stein were strongly influenced (as were many others) by Sidney and Emily Kark, who were developing community health programs for rural areas of South Africa. 4 They fought apartheid alongside Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress, and helped write the health section of the 1954 Freedom Charter, which is still relevant today.…”

Mervyn Susser and Community Psychiatry

“…Mervyn had prior experience with an innovative community health programme in South Africa, though not with mental health. Although Salford was an entirely different social context, insights from his South African experience proved useful.…”

“…The 1957 Royal Commission Report published shortly after Mervyn's arrival (followed by the 1959 Mental Health Act) proposed a restructuring of mental health services. 3,13,14 Mervyn had prior experience with an innovative community health programme in South Africa, 15 though not with mental health. Although Salford was an entirely different social context, insights from his South African experience proved useful.…”