Although this is the “Spring ‘09” newsletter, summer is effectively here in most of the United States. New grant applications are due, and new public health graduates are deciding on next steps in a difficult job market. Federal, state and local budgets remain critically tight. New leadership in Washington, D.C. is moving quickly toward critical funding decisions that may change the direction of public health research, surveillance and practice in the years to come, while investment firms, banks and so-called “must-not-fail” sectors in the U.S. economy are being bailed out by the government. Early in May with the arrival of novel H1N1 “swine” flu viral infections in the United States and further spread within more countries, the public health system received another real wake-up call that global public health is also a “must-not-fail” system. Even with the mounting cases and the serious consequences suffered by some from this now pandemic illness, we in the Northern Hemisphere appear to have much needed time to develop better responses to what many expect to be a second more serious novel flu season coming up. What better example of the importance of epidemiologists as what I called the essential “body counters” (Winter ’09 newsletter) — the core of public health, as we all just witnessed this past month? 

Epidemiologists again were on the front lines working with clinicians and other colleagues to characterize the disease and its movement among populations. One good colleague of mine recently reminded me of a quotation by the actor, George C. Scott, playing the flamboyant General George Patton in the 1970s World War II movie. While being temporarily sidelined by his command, he says in angst and determination, “With all the world at war, . . . I will be allowed to fulfill my destiny.” So be it for so many of us in epidemiology. We are prepared and ready. We must be allowed to fulfill our destiny to protect the public with the multidisciplinary science we practice! For many of us, fulfilling that destiny may only remain possible with adequate attention, understanding of the needs, and true support by our government leaders and the public. With many growing local and global challenges in public health, our leaders must be reminded not to ignore the capacity needs of the public health systems that citizens rely on, including, but not exclusively, public health’s preparedness and acute response capabilities. In so many other areas, like chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health epidemiology and health promotion, public health continues to lack critical capabilities. Will we ever be able to fulfill our destinies in these areas as well?

So with this spring newsletter — the interim newsletter of the year between Annual Meetings — I invite you to learn more about some of our Epidemiology Section activities and news so far this year and to prepare NOT to miss the next Annual Meeting this November in Philadelphia.

Whether you can make it to the Annual Meeting or not, as chair of one of APHA’s largest (now with over 3,000 members!) and oldest sections, let me again challenge you, as members of the Epidemiology Section, to consider how this Section might be more effective in advancing our profession and defining its relevance. Your comments as letters to the editor or personal comments to our Section leaders (some of whom are listed below) are really important. The complete list of leaders is posted on our Web page: http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/epidemiology/roster/   

Yours truly,

Dr. Jim Gaudino

Chair, Epidemiology Section

james.a.gaudino@state.or.us