Let’s give thanks for public health pioneers
Point of view Public Health Thank You Day

BY GARY E. RASKOB

Published: November 28, 2008

Have you ever heard of John Snow? In 1849, he figured out that contaminated water was spreading Britain’s deadly cholera epidemic, and contained it by convincing the city to stop using water from a pump downstream.

Gary Raskob

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How about Edward Jenner, who in 1796 created the first safe and effective vaccine for smallpox? Or Jonas Salk, who created a vaccine for polio in 1955?

What about Dr. Charles H. Henneken, who made headlines worldwide in 1988 when his ground-breaking study found that daily, small doses of aspirin could reduce by 44 percent the chances of having a heart attack?

These are some examples of public health professionals whose breakthrough discoveries have enriched and saved the lives of countless people here and worldwide.

As we give thanks this week, let’s not forget the heroes of public health — pioneers who today continue to enhance our daily lives.

Research!America, the Association of Schools of Public Health and the American Public Health Association have designated a day this week as Public Health Thank You Day. In honor of this event, they recognized eight "Public Health Heroes” from around the country, including two researchers here at the University of Oklahoma College of Public Health.

Robert Lynch, Ph.D., has led the way in the testing, study and reduction of lead exposure in Oklahoma, especially in rural areas. His work with other health professionals has led to policies and laws that make Oklahoma safer for our children.

Larry Regens, Ph.D., director of the Center for Biosecurity Research at OU, is working to understand chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives threats from terrorism as well as emerging infectious diseases. The research helps protect our soldiers and strengthens homeland security through partnerships with numerous agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Department of Homeland Security. His work alone has brought in more than $35 million in research funding to Oklahoma.

Lynch and Regens aren’t alone. They are joined by many public health professionals throughout our state and nation who work year-round to protect us from the ordinary and not-so-ordinary public health threats. In Oklahoma, these everyday heroes include our health inspectors, environmental health scientists, sanitation workers and researchers.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these heroes — our public health professionals at the local, state and federal levels who make it possible for us to live in a safer, healthier world.

It is vital as we offer our thanks to those who have advanced public health that we also commit to an increased awareness of public health issues, continue research aimed at preventing illness and injury, and protect populations from existing and emerging public health threats.

Raskob is dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Public Health at the OU Health Sciences Center.

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