In 1798, the U.S. Congress established the Marine Hospital Service to provide medical care for merchant sailors, marking the beginning of organized public health efforts in the United States. This precursor to the U.S. Public Health Service laid the groundwork for future public health initiatives and the establishment of a national health system. The Marine Hospital Service's focus on maritime health issues highlighted the importance of healthcare access for all citizens, particularly those in vulnerable occupations.

The establishment of the U.S. Public Health Service Marine Hospital Service in 1798 marked a turning point in American civic responsibility. This development inspired poets like Walt Whitman, who infused his hospital poetry with themes of care, community, and the human experience of suffering.