Nurses' role in the prevention of infant mortality in 1884-1925: health disparities then and now.

Nursing has a strong historical precedence in the treatment of health disparities. This article evaluates the public health nurses' (PHNs') role with infant mortality during 1884-1920, specifically how nursing care impacted on conditions of poverty, poor nutrition, poor living conditions, lack of education, and lack of governmental policies that contributed to the poor health of infants a century ago. The historical significance of the early PHNs' role can improve our understanding of nursing practice with childhood health issues today. Suggestions are made for nursing to focus on health disparities in childhood obesity, in areas of environmental and policy changes, and the development of social programs and education for families to support healthier living.