Epidemiology of hydrocephalous (Martin-Laez, Caballero-Arzapalo, Lopez-Menendez, Arango-Lasprilla, & Vazquez-Barquero, 2015) […]

Moadel, A., Shah, C., Harris, M. S., Wylie-Rosett, J., Patel, S. R., Hall, C. B., & Sparono, J. A. (2007, Oct 1). Randomized Control Trial of yoga among a multiethnic sample of breast cancer […]

This is the example of my first ever trial with Java programing names “Hello Epi” .

Intimate partner violence is a global public health problem. Prevalence of Intimate partner violence differs geographically and financially. In […]

Acknowledging the real world. we won’t be writing any more HTML with center

The elements frame, frameset, and noframes are being removed from the language,

Some […]

A Paragraph.

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Note: myFunction is stored in an external file called “myScript.js”.

Authors: Wendy Huebner , Asif Patel,  Andrea Polk-Stephenson , Howell Sasser  and Erica E. Smith

From the Chair: Ebola—The New Normal
From the Secretary: Leading by Example—The Importance of Risk […]

Journey of Dr. Susser was full of zeal, passion and enthusiasm to work for the betterment of community health. Since Epidemiology gives the base for public health action, and policy executes it, the contribution of Dr. Mervyn Susser to the epidemiology and somehow to the policy ( in light of his struggle in South Africa) is immense.His contribution to public health began long time ago in South Africa when only fifteen percent population of the country had privilege to enjoy all power including voting rights. He was then one of the companions of Nelson Mandela in the fight against then ruling government. He was an activist, and he left South Africa with his wife to mark the protest against apartheid. He moved from there to Uk and then to Columbia University.

Those days when Dr.Susser made up his mind for epidemiology, epidemiology was not the part of curriculum in medical school. Dr. Mervyn had no formal training in epidemiology when he joined the department of epidemiology in Columbia’s school of public health in 1966. Contrast to British, United States was still belong to infectious disease era.Measles vaccine implementation program was in place (since measles vaccine was discovered in 1962).In other words, Dr.Susser was witness of  the era  changing  from infection diseases to chronic disease. He proficiently  targeted the social aspect of diseases, perhaps thanks to his appointment  as professor for social and preventive medicine while he was in UK.

Dr.Susser had one of his best publications on the’ future of epidemiology’ with his daughter and he also had many publications with his wife Zena. He married Zena when both were in medical school. Later they both started medical care in Alexandria town. They were medical practitioner and eventually they became epidemiology practitioner. Dr.Susser held Dr.Brad Hill in high regards. He also regarded as one of three fathers of social epidemiology.

His publication, ‘Epidemiology in the united States after world war second, the evolution of technique’  has been guiding torch for epidemiologists for many years. Underlining the evolution in epidemiology, he noted how theory and method became part of epidemiology training. Earlier, the only route to enter epidemiology was through medicine. Considering it as evolution, non-medicine researcher also started entering epidemiology, For example, Austin Bradford Hill was not physician. In his words, ‘newly minted epidemiologists’ were mix of many disciplines.Further adding in his article, he emphasized that Koch’s germ theory shifted epidemiology from miasma to germ-based theory. He beautifully explained how Framingham study was the foundation of the chronic disease studies, and how it denied the notion those only prospective studies could be funded. This paper tactically shows the journey from case control to cohort to the multivariate model study. I consider this paper integral part of epidemiology study.

He was  editor of American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) for six year between 1992 and 1998.  Recognizing  his contribution to epidemiology, American Public Health Association bestowed him With John  Snow Award. Richard Mayeux reportedly told New York Times, ‘his profound impact on critical thinking and causality set the framework for modern epidemiology.’ Tons of respect e to great scientist who will keep enlightening physicians to serve community, and epidemiologist not to forget considering social aspect of causation.

Moreover, these scenarios gives us more food for thought such as could participation by lay public help in disease investigation? Or vice versa if outbreak investigation underline community participation?

Ebola is already creating havoc in African countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and World Health Organization has declared public health emergency. In global arena, we need to prepare for any type of health emergencies stemming from travelers as any country can be exposed. In the absence of a vaccine, it is important to create awareness among people about the outbreak, lethality of virus, and more importantly preventive measures. As such barring travelers to or from the affected area does not offer solutions.

Ebola has quickly spread across the borders of 3 West African countries where people live across the shallow and narrow river that divides Guinea with Liberia and Sierra Leone. With community participation, it becomes easy to identify suspected case and again with community participation, treatment is made available fast to the diagnosed patients. It also helps to address attached myths and misconceptions about disease.

Another example of active community participation is of scabies treatment in the village of Galilli (Northern Israeli town). It was that time when computers and Internet were non-existent, Television was rare in villages and print media had supreme dominancy.

Physicians and nurses can play a great role in any public health emergency as they have contacts with multiple level of system. Physicians or nurses with community health background or epidemiology can influence investigation outcome, and community participation. Data collection needs involvement of community. Active participation of people would give large sample and accurate data. Even communicating findings needs the trust of the community if it needs to reach large population for creating awareness and healthy habits.

Educational interventions can be tailored as per the capacity of concerned country. In a resource limited setting, mode of education changes and materials used in education also vary to some extent. For example, People in Africa should be educated about the risks attached with burial of bodies or contact with forest animals helps transmission of disease. Objective of reducing human-to-human transmission should be on priority by educating people: contact with patients body fluid such as blood, saliva or pus should be avoided. Healthcare professional while dealing should wear gloves with patients; in addition, encourage hand washing. Lay people who come across such patients should notify health care agencies or health care professionals.

Three lethal facts about Ebola: 1) Case fatality rate is very high 2) There is no specific treatment available, only supportive measure available. 3) And no vaccine available. Only good news is that at least it is not air borne.

Image showing what happens to olfactory nerve after head trauma…

Source!! http://www.anatomicaljustice.com/Custom-Medical-Illustrations/Trauma-to-the-Olfactory-Nerves?service=13&MS=0&BR=0&ST=0&page=8&id=1496