The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders’ ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources offer relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar on state health policymaking.
Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
Milbank Memorial Fund and Milbank Quarterly webinars featuring state health policymakers and researchers.
Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
S1 1989 (Volume 67)
Quarterly Article
Elizabeth Fee
September 2026
Sep 25, 2026
Sep 23, 2026
Back to The Milbank Quarterly
The historical tradition of social medicine as implicit social criticism was built around the analysis of disease incidence. Henry Sigerist had a dual vision of the physician’s role in addressing the incidence of disease: as participant or leader of the “people’s war” for health that promoted needed changes in social and economic organization, and as the provider of individualized preventive and curative care. What connected these positions for Sigerist was his view of the politics of science and scientific medicine, where socialism represented the form of society in which the benefits of science would be equitably distributed. In placing such high value on science and technology as means of assuring equality of access to health care, however, he failed to see the ways in which science itself is culturally determined.
Author(s): Elizabeth Fee
Download the Article
Read on JSTOR
Volume 67, Issue S1 (pages 127–150) Published in 1989