Rosner-Leszczyński, Kacper (2026) Between East and West: Unitarian Service Committee's medical mission in post-World War II Poland. Medical History, 18. pp. 1-13.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Poland faced immense public health challenges amidst widespread destruction and political transformation. This article explores the largely overlooked medical mission of the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) in Poland, situating it within both humanitarian and geopolitical contexts. Drawing on archival research and press accounts, the study reconstructs the USC's multifaceted aid efforts, including its Medical Teaching Mission, the establishment of the Piekary Śląskie hospital, and tuberculosis control initiatives. The analysis highlights how the USC combined direct medical assistance with educational outreach, aiming to support long-term recovery. However, operating behind the Iron Curtain, the Committee's activities were subject to both surveillance and propaganda, revealing the entanglement of health and politics in Cold War Europe. This case offers new insights into the role of non-governmental actors in shaping postwar public health and diplomacy in Eastern Europe.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Aid; Medical mission; Poland; Public health; Unitarian Service Committee; World War II; Iron Curtain; Cold War Europe |
| Subjects: | A Church/mission history C Types of Christian Ministry > Medical mission |
| Divisions: | Central Europe > Poland |
| Depositing User: | Katharina Penner |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jul 2026 07:26 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jul 2026 07:26 |
| URI: | https://ceamol.osims.org/id/eprint/3321 |
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