Transforming NC Health: The Powerful Song that Cured
- The song “It’s All Up To You” was used in 1947 as part of a public health awareness campaign in North Carolina, due to the state’s poor health conditions, including a high rate of draft rejections during WWII due to men being medically unfit for military service. The campaign, called the “Good Health Plan”, aimed to raise funds for the construction of hospitals and clinics and was heavily promoted through various media.
- Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore recorded the song for free, and it was heavily played on radio stations, distributed in schools, and put on jukeboxes in the state’s largest cities. The song’s lyrics were a call to action for North Carolinians to address the state’s health concerns.
- The Good Health Plan was approved by the legislature in March 1947, with $32 million (equivalent to around $440 million in 2023) allocated for the initiative, and an additional $16 million coming from the federal Hill-Burton Act. The plan led to the construction of a four-year medical school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and the creation of 230 health care facilities in North Carolina.
A Historical Glimpse into North Carolina’s Health Song Campaign
In early 1947, North Carolinians couldn’t escape the song “It’s All Up To You.” The tune, a collaboration between Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore, was part of a campaign raising awareness of the state’s poor health conditions, leading to lasting impacts on the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Good Health Plan Initiative
Before the song’s release, alarming statistics had been shared with North Carolina’s General Assembly. The state had the nation’s highest rate of draft rejections during World War II due to poor health, with more than half of the state’s conscripted men deemed medically unfit for duty. Addressing the issue, the State Hospital and Medical Care Commission developed the “Good Health Plan,” proposing the construction of hospitals and clinics across the state.
Mobilizing Public Support
To get the plan approved, the commission enlisted North Carolinian bandleader Kay Kyser to help sway public opinion. His involvement included touring the state, crafting a marketing prospectus for the Good Health Association, and using multiple publicity channels to promote the benefits of the Good Health Plan.
Spreading the “Health Alarm”
The song “It’s All Up To You,” written by hitmakers Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, served as a catchy call to action, encouraging North Carolinians to improve their health. Kyser recruited two rising stars, Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore, to perform the song, which premiered on every radio station in North Carolina on New Year’s Day in 1947.
The Influence of Sinatra and Shore
Popular Columbia Records artists Sinatra and Shore agreed to sing “It’s All Up To You” without charge. After recording, over 9,000 copies of the track were sent to radio stations, and the song was heavily promoted in newspapers, schools, and jukeboxes across the state.
The Lasting Impact of the Good Health Plan
The Good Health Plan, backed by substantial state and federal investment, was approved by the legislature in March 1947. This led to the creation of 230 healthcare facilities in North Carolina and a four-year medical school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Though the song has since faded into obscurity, it can still be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
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