Former US Surgeon General and Others Provide Inspiration at 79th HSPH Graduation Ceremony

Emphasizing the unique role that public health professionals play, former US Surgeon General David Satcher encouraged HSPH’s graduating class to address continuing needs in the country’s public health during his Commencement address at the school’s graduation ceremonies on June 6 in the Kresge Courtyard. 386 degrees were conferred.

HSPH Dean Barry Bloom opened the ceremony, describing the students as an "extraordinary, interesting, diverse and dedicated group." He reinforced the idea that Americans, post September 11th, are now better understanding public health.

He emphasized the relevance of the field in preventing deaths and in improving health, listing causes of mortality in the US that are important from a public health perspective: tobacco use, lack of a healthy diet or exercise, diabetes, alcohol use, infectious diseases and firearms.

The greatest challenge facing public health professionals, said Bloom, is tackling health disparities that exist between rich and poor countries and within wealthy countries. Citing the work of the Burden of Disease Unit at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Bloom described how life expectancy in the US averages 75 years compared to 26 years in Sierra Leone. Life expectancies in five African countries have now dropped below 40 years because of the AIDS crisis.

Health disparities in the US are also striking. The life expectancy of Japanese-American women living in Bergen County, NJ averages 88 years compared to 61 years for African-American men living in the Bronx.

Bloom urged the graduates to improve the health of people in the US and in countries around the world.

Like Bloom, Satcher spoke about the importance of preventing diseases, promoting health and addressing health disparities.

"We need a balanced community health system in this country," said Satcher. "A system that balances health promotion, disease prevention, early detection and universal access to care. There is a tremendous hole in a country that spends less than two percent of its health budget on population-based prevention."

As Surgeon General, Satcher released several noteworthy reports, which he described in his address and which pointed to areas where public health already has or could have impacts.

A report on smoking showed that 22 percent of Americans currently smoke compared to 43 percent in 1964. Yet, noted Satcher, smoking remains a global challenge.

A report on oral health drew attention to what Satcher described as a neglected field. Oral cancers are the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US.

A controversial report showed tremendous public health burdens in the area of sexual health. There are nearly 15 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the US each year, with more than 4 million occurring in teens, he said. Half of pregnancies in the US are unintended. More than one million abortions are performed in the country each year. More than 100,000 children are sexually abused each year.

Health officials have a "credibility gap" when it comes to sexual health issues, said Satcher. Despite an emphasis on abstinence-only programs, there is no evidence to date that such programs are effective in preventing STDs or unwanted pregnancies, he said. As Surgeon General, he called for an "abstinence-plus" program, recognizing that sexually active people need to know how to protect their health.

Satcher released four reports on mental health as Surgeon General. They illustrated that mental illnesses are physical disorders, are common in the US and are often treatable. Yet, the data showed that less than half of American adults with mental diseases ever seek treatment, and less than one-third of children receive the mental health care they need.

Health disparities in the US concern Satcher, who cited Healthy People 2010, a set of objectives for America that build on initiatives from the past 20 years to prevent threats to health. Healthy People 2010 lists eliminating health disparities as one of two overarching goals. Satcher said that increasing diversity in the US should be a major strength, yet significant disparities in rates of cardiovascular disease, infant mortality, cancer, HIV/AIDS and immunization exist in the country.

James McGee, who received an MS degree in health care management, was Student Commencement Speaker, reflecting on the nature of beauty and public health.

Said McGee: "To me, this school is beautiful because of the people who work here and who go forth to advance world health with idealism and pragmatism. The beauty of their efforts is measured in the same three dimensions that define health: the social, physical and mental."

McGee described his work as a medical intern at a mission serving the Zulu nation in South Africa during the era of Apartheid. While acknowledging the hope brought by the end of Apartheid, McGee despaired of the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in the community where he served and the declining funding to combat the disease.

"But here the work goes on: vaccines are being sought, manufacturers are being challenged to make life-saving drugs affordable and governments are being educated about the health, economic and political consequences of this disease," said McGee.

He reflected on the impact of September 11th, urging his fellow graduates not to be afraid.

"Take what you have learned here and what you have felt here to others, so that the world may always turn to beauty for solutions," he said.

During the ceremony, Martha Collins, MPH ‘72, provided greetings from the Alumni Council. Student awards were given to William Tan, Donald Warne and Lorien Abroms.

Phillip Woods, an MPH degree recipient and singer, helped to close the ceremony by singing "Be Aware."

A web cast is available at www.hsph.harvard.edu/commencement.html.

Anusha Munasinghe, Edgar Haber Award in Biological Sciences and Pamela Jean Surkin, Uwe Brinkmann Memorial Travel Award.