Public health and home care: historical roots & current partnerships

This article explores the evolution of home care from a component of public health services to its current position in the American health care system. Values related to public health and philanthropic roots are discussed in contrast to the current business orientation. Because nursing was the initial, and remains the primary, discipline in home care, examples from nursing service and education are used to illustrate this evolution. Educational implications are highlighted because of the importance of educational systems in supplying personnel to the field.