Block IA-Full Time Programme: Introduction to Public Health

Block Leader: Dr. Linda Lloyd

HISTORICAL MOMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH TIMELINE

(as presented by the 2006 Graduating Class)

 

 

        Event

Year

Significance

 

Lady Montagu brings to England the Turkish practice of inoculating children with smallpox. She has her two children vaccinated.

 

1717

 

 

The first modern inoculation introduced into the western culture. Above and beyond, it paved the way for all future vaccinations and therefore the possibility of eradication of other communicable diseases (e.g. the smallpox virus) as a general threat to society.

 

Captain Ecuyer of the Royal Americans, under the guise of friendship, presents the native Americans two blankets and a handkerchief contaminated with smallpox.

 

 

1763

This record was early evidence of bio-terrorism, which is similar to present day anthrax attacks. It is one of the first records of how a disease was used as warfare weapons. This indicates the need for public health throughout history.

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An epidemic of yellow fever in Philadelphia kills about 10% of the population.

 

 

1793

The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 led to the development of the Department of Public Health and Charities in 1804, now the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

 

Englishman, John Snow, shows that prohibiting use of well contaminated with sewage reduces incidence of cholera in the vicinity of the well.

 

 

1854

What is important about John Snow is his recognition of the power of statistics. John Snow’s work led to massive public health concerns about contamination of drinking water which would lead to massive reforms in sanitation and a more epidemiological approach in the effort to save lives.

 

 

Founding of APHA.

1872

This event was important because it created a unified public health body that sought to promote the health of everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

Influenza becomes a reportable disease, influenza pandemic.

 

 

1918

The flu of 1918 was important because it gave epidemiology more footing as a public health discipline. Furthermore, it increased public awareness about illnesses with pandemic potential and promoted the idea of mass immunization.

 

Tuskegee experiments.

 

 

1932-1997

In retrospect, we now know that before and during an experiment there needs to be stringent ethical guidelines, clearly defined protocols, stability in the key personnel conducting the experiment, and a better, more ethical representation of all individuals.

 

Surgeon General’s report on smoking.

 

 

1964

This was a significant milestone in public health as it was the first official recognition of the association between cigarette smoking and cancer, paving the way for future public health attention and efforts on this topic.

 

AIDS is first described.

 

 

1981

AIDS was not recognized or described as a disease until 1981, and thus this is the year when the first cases of what would eventually become known as AIDS were reported to the Center for Disease Control.

 

Chernobyl reactor disaster.

 

 

1986

As a result of Chernobyl, the world is aware of the dangers of nuclear power plant disasters and the detrimental effects radiation has on life. The now separate countries of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus have been burdened with continuing and substantial costs for decontamination and health care because of the Chernobyl accident.

 

 

Nutrition Labeling and education act passes congress requiring all packaged foods to have nutritional labeling. All health claims for foods must meet standards defined by the Secretary of Health and human Services.

 

 

1990

As more and more of the food consumed became packaged rather than raw, this was the first comprehensive, standardized and widespread means to help consumers focus on nutrients of public health significance in an effort to reduce the public’s risk of heart disease and cancer.

 

U.S. Tobacco Liggett to Repay More than $10 million for treatment of smokers.

 

 

1996

This was the first time in over forty years of lawsuits that a tobacco company agreed to pay out money! Moreover, this was also the first “legal” crack in the almost solid wall of denial by tobacco companies that they had any responsibility for smokers' illnesses.

Anthrax Mailing.

 

 

2001

First time that anthrax was used for bioterrorism in the US and the use of biological organisms as weapons becomes a harsh reality in the US.

 

World Tobacco Treaty.

 

 

2003

While there have been global epidemics before, this is the world’s first public health treaty. Because tobacco related deaths are the second leading cause of death worldwide and the primary cause of death in the US this treaty can become an invaluable public health and legislative tool for control of tobacco worldwide.

☻Thank-you to all the future health professionals who helped compile this list:

Mudstanser Badar*

Anna Chetverikova*

Christopher Harvey*

Julie Lai*

Jessica McKee*

Christy Ngo*

Leia Patricia Sanderson*

Divya Ullal

Meckenzie Behr

Jonathan Chiao*

Derek Johnson*

Michael Magaña*

E.J. Micaiah

Maryann Nkansa*

Michael Stefanski

Lily Wong*

Gregory Benjamin*

Abe Dabela

Erin Johnson*

Bianca Malcolm

Hedwig Murphy*

Tope Olufade

Ashley Tait

 

Catherine Berjohn*

Michelle Esterlin*

Jessica Jones*

Elisa Martinez*

Justin Nachid*

Ali Rizvi*

Andrew Tanner*

 

Joe Carbaugh

Nicole Gidaya*

Monica Kanal*

Preeti Mattoo*

Dave Nayak

Kristin Rodick

Lauren Teague*

*special thanks