Which organization published the 1966 paper that is considered the birth of modern EMS?

• A. American Heart Association
• B. National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
• C. National Academy of Sciences
• D. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is identifying who published the landmark report that is widely regarded as the birth of modern EMS. The 1966 publication, titled Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society, was produced by the National Academy of Sciences through its National Research Council. This work highlighted the failures in prehospital care and trauma systems and laid out a plan for organized EMS, including better ambulance services, trained personnel, standardized procedures, and stronger linkages to hospitals.

That report’s message and recommendations spurred widespread recognition of EMS as a public-service system and paved the way for systematic development, training programs, and federal support. The American Heart Association focuses on cardiovascular care rather than publishing nationwide EMS infrastructure guidance. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration played major roles in later EMS standardization and regulation, but they did not publish the 1966 foundational paper.