The growing brown plague

Article Abstract:

The September 26, 1990 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association focuses upon the twin problems of beginning smoking and tobacco addiction. The power of the addiction is so great that even highly independent, well-motivated, and self-determined individuals are unable to quit; free will is not within the power of these smokers. The period when free will counts is before addiction, usually a point when individuals are more sensitive to peer pressure than to the future horrors of smoking-related illness. It is hard to comprehend the greed of the tobacco and advertising industry executives who, knowing full well the deadly effects of smoking, nevertheless continue to promote it. Today there is a daily toll of a thousand premature smoking-related deaths, and it is difficult to understand the permissive environment with regard to tobacco. At the same time, the tobacco industry is exporting its products to Asian countries in an attempt to fill the dwindling market within the United States. In the final analysis this society will be judged on the manner by which it treats others. The United States has a history of exporting health, nutrition and science. The fact that it is now becoming the exporter of tobacco-related disease is disturbing. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Ethical aspects, Tobacco industry, editorial

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Preventive medicine and public health

Article Abstract:

There have been many gains in public health but much more work needs to be done. Almost 200 years after Edward Jenner used the first smallpox vaccine in 1796, the last case of the disease was reported. Cases of guinea worm have dropped 97% in the last 10 years and it is likely that polio will be eradicated worldwide by the year 2000. Vaccines are now the foundation of public health, with more than 1 billion doses administered every year. HIV-2 infection appears to provide some protection from HIV-1 infection, leading to the hope that some type of AIDS vaccine may be developed. Until then, behavioral changes are the best way to fight the disease. Tobacco use still ranks as a major cause of preventable illness and death. Several states have sued the tobacco industry to recover the costs of treating tobacco-related diseases. About 2 million children were killed by war in the past decade and millions more are left disabled and homeless.

Usage, International aspects, Poliomyelitis, Vaccines, AIDS (Disease), Children and war

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Public health and preventive medicine

Article Abstract:

It is not clear to what extent public health programs can be privatized. There may still be a role for government in disease surveillance, food and water safety and air quality monitoring. A computer-based immunization scheme could alert physicians to any children who have not received the complete vaccination schedule. This will be crucial given the addition of more vaccines to an already complex schedule. The free distribution of ivermectin in developing countries may reduce the incidence of river blindness. A new drug and a vaccine have also been developed for malaria.

Children, Information management, Communicable diseases, Immunization of children, Immunization

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