Harvard Public Health: Fall 2009

In this issue

Public health takes aim at sugar and salt
Evidence has mounted that too much sugar and salt—often invisibly insinuated into beverages, processed foods, and restaurant fare—harms health. Research at the Harvard School of Public Health and elsewhere has tied sugary drinks to an epidemic of obesity in the United States. The average 12-ounce can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar, and the average teenage boy consumes nearly three cans of sugary drinks a day. Is it any wonder that about two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese?

Also in this issue

Cancer on the rise in developing countries
While it’s well known that cancer is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, what is less recognized is the growth of cancer in the developing world.

John Briscoe offers bold, unorthodox ideas for managing scarce water
HSPH Prof. tackles water insecurity in the developing world.

HSPH investigators help lead H1N1 research and response
Catching the flu before it catches the world.

Researchers tap into a new source of government dollars
National Institutes of Health one-time funding boost is expected to support promising research.

Combatting the health consequences of poverty and stress
Drs. Rosalind and Robert Wright strive to help high-risk children and adults live healthier lives.

Students target air pollution from Boston to Sub-Saharan Africa
HSPH doctoral students are looking at air pollution in new ways.

Navigating health on the information superhighway
Researcher removes roadblocks for people with limited income and literacy.