ISLAND VOICES
Public health on horizon
By Nancy Kern
Nancy Kern is first vice president of the UH School of Public Health Alumni Association.
The UH School of Public Health lost its accreditation and closed in 2000 because of complex challenges, including lack of support and funding, causing a ripple effect in the public health community in Hawai'i.
With the loss of local graduates from the school, a significant challenge has arisen in attempting to identify individuals educated and experienced in addressing the complex and diverse public health challenges confronting society in the 21st century.
Among these challenges currently facing Hawai'i and its residents are bioterrorism, infectious diseases, behavioral health risks, environmental health hazards, the nation's worst rate of tuberculosis, obesity, diabetes, regional public health threats such as SARS and dengue fever, and other challenges.
This is a time when Hawai'i's public health environment is challenged as it has rarely been at any time in its history. There is a clear need to rebuild the public health infrastructure and workforce in our state. Such a goal would result in the establishment of a comprehensive public health system having the capability to respond to challenges that will demand ever-increasing amounts of our time, attention and resources.
The presentation Feb. 3 by Dr. Peter Englert, chancellor of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, to the mid-year meeting of the UH School of Public Health Alumni Association (UHSPHAA) provided a glimpse into a future where public health needs in Hawai'i are given the consideration and notice they deserve.
He addressed the fact that substantial federal funding is available for research into bioterrorism and other global health threats.
Dr. Englert said he has requested $1 million in supplementary funding from the Legislature for establishing the building blocks of a new School of Global and Public Health: programs and faculty. He even vowed to move forward with the establishment of this school with other funding, if necessary.
We appreciative Dr. Englert's leadership and direction in envisioning a reconstituted School of Global and Public Health at UH-Manoa. UHSPHAA anticipates collaborating with him and other public health agencies in the near future on this far-reaching and essential goal.
