Health Corps and Expansion of Healthcare in Iran: Case Study of Period 1966-1971

Health condition was not good in Iran from nineteenth to early twentieth century and people were afflicted with many problems in health, treatment and livelihood. The condition was even worse in the rural and remote areas in contrast with urban areas. The literary and income levels had adverse effects on Iranian nation’s health. All of these conditions prepared the grounds for the establishment of health corps. Nevertheless, political reasons for the establishment of this corps should be also taken into consideration. However, the health corps improved the health condition and people in remote places gained access to the healthcare services provided by this newly established institution. Analytical-descriptive method has been applied and primary as well secondary sources have been used to study the impacts of the health corps on the general health condition of the people during the Pahlavi period. The findings of this study show that after a while this institution lost its main function and turned into propagation tool.