World Health Day

In initiating this event, the intent was to raise awareness about an important day, World Health Day, but also to celebrate the impending eradication of Guinea Worm, because not too often do we hear of 'eradication' of a disease. In fact it was 44 years ago that another devastating disease, small pox, was eradicated. Rinderpest is also scheduled for eradication in May 2011 and we invited an expert from our Veterinary School, the school that was instrumental in eradication of Rinderpest, to speak about the impact of Rinderpest on animal and human lives, as well as on the economy .

The United Nations Association of Grater Boston collaborated in organizing this event. Its representative spoke eloquently about the work of the Unite Nations.

It is apparent that human health, animal health and the environment are linked and we invited an expert to highlight the new and popular initiative 'One Health'. The representative of Rotary International noted that tackling global public health issues rests on the medical community, the scientific community, civic society, governments and non-governmental intuitions working in collaboration. A very good example was the eradication of Guinea Worm initiated by the Carter Center in collaboration with various governments, Rotary International, UNICEF and World Vision. Rotary International was at the forefront of the eradication of Polio in the United States and is now actively working to eradicate the disease in developing countries. The organization's new initiative includes tackling another Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), Buruli Ulcer. Experts and students from Tufts University will extend help to Rotary International.

As an educational institution, it was natural for us to invite our graduating students to participate actively in the event. Three students from Tufts and one student from Emerson College were also speakers. Eradication of a disease requires an understanding of what these diseases are, their causes and how to formulate public policy and effectively communicate healthcare messages to the public at large. This is the reason Tufts' MPH program is a practical degree program. The four students challenged themselves, their cohort, their teachers and governments to make sure that basic necessities such as universal access to primary education, primary healthcare, adequate housing equipped with clean water and improved sanitation are considered rights not privileges.

We were fortunate that the keynote address was given by an expert, the representative of WHO/PAHO, who succinctly presented the history of neglected diseases, what is being done and what should be done in the future by giving the audience facts about the remaining neglected diseases that are targeted for control or eradication. This gave the audience much to reflect on. As a result, several individuals indicated their interest in joining us to work on next year's World Health Day, the theme of which will be other neglected diseases.

We exceeded our expectations. The Dean of the Public Health and Professional Degree Programs outlined Tufts University's public health programs and its global affiliations and announced a permanent annual program to be held at Tufts University Medical School/Department of Public Health and Community Medicine on World Health Day to address selected themes. The Department will also work with relevant organizations including WHO and Rotary International. While we will have an expanded program that will include research, we have already started preparing for WHD 2012, working to lay the groundwork for the next disease to be eradicated.

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While commemorating World Health Day, on 7 April 2011; The Department of Public Health of Tufts University School of Medicine, The Center for Conservation Medicine of Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and the United Nations Association of Greater Boston celebrate the Impending Eradication of Guinea Worm and its public health implications.

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