Abram Salmon Benenson
Encyclopedia
Abram Salmon Benenson, MD (1914 – December 15, 2003) was an authority in public health
, preventive medicine
, military medicine
, and "shoe-leather" epidemiology
. He was best known as the editor-in-chief (1970 to 1995) for the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
of the American Public Health Association
. His tenure as editor was so lengthy that the manual was often known as the "Benenson Book".
and interned for 3 years before entering the U.S. Army Medical Corps
. He earned board certifications in pathology
, preventive medicine
and public health
, and microbiology
. His military career included assignments as commanding officer, Tropical Research Medical Laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico
, and as director of Experimental Medicine, Camp Detrick, Maryland; of Division of Communicable Disease and Immunology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
(WRAIR); of the Pakistan–Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) Cholera Research Laboratory in Dacca, Bangladesh
, and of the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory in Panama
. He retired from the military in 1962 as a colonel
.
Benenson then served on numerous commissions and committees throughout his long civilian career, for which his expertise in smallpox
, cholera
, vaccines, and biological warfare
was utilized to make public health policy decisions at both state and federal levels. Highlights of his 60 year medical career included involvement in the eradication of smallpox (1979); the development of the jet injector
for vaccines and of oral rehydration for the victims of debilitating diarrhea; AIDS
, cholera, and laboratory technology. He subsequently held academic positions at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
; the Department of Community Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
in Lexington
; and the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Graduate School of Public Health
at San Diego State University
in California.
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, preventive medicine
Preventive medicine
Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, rather than curing them or treating their symptoms...
, military medicine
Military medicine
The term military medicine has a number of potential connotations. It may mean:*A medical specialty, specifically a branch of occupational medicine attending to the medical risks and needs of soldiers, sailors and other service members...
, and "shoe-leather" epidemiology
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
. He was best known as the editor-in-chief (1970 to 1995) for the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
The Control of Communicable Diseases Manual is one of the most widely recognized reference volumes on the topic of infectious diseases. It is useful for physicians, epidemiologists, global travelers, emergency volunteers and all who have dealt with or might have to deal with public health...
of the American Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is Washington, D.C.-based professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. Founded in 1872 by Dr. Stephen Smith, APHA has more than 30,000 members worldwide...
. His tenure as editor was so lengthy that the manual was often known as the "Benenson Book".
Biography
Dr Benenson graduated from Cornell Medical School in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and interned for 3 years before entering the U.S. Army Medical Corps
Medical Corps (United States Army)
The Medical Corps of the U.S. Army is a staff corps of the U.S. Army Medical Department consisting of commissioned medical officers – physicians with either an MD or a DO degree, at least one year of post-graduate clinical training, and a state medical license.The MC traces its earliest origins...
. He earned board certifications in pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
, preventive medicine
Preventive medicine
Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, rather than curing them or treating their symptoms...
and public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, and microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
. His military career included assignments as commanding officer, Tropical Research Medical Laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, and as director of Experimental Medicine, Camp Detrick, Maryland; of Division of Communicable Disease and Immunology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
This article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute . Otherwise, see Walter Reed .The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Defense...
(WRAIR); of the Pakistan–Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) Cholera Research Laboratory in Dacca, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, and of the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. He retired from the military in 1962 as a colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
.
Benenson then served on numerous commissions and committees throughout his long civilian career, for which his expertise in smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
, cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
, vaccines, and biological warfare
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
was utilized to make public health policy decisions at both state and federal levels. Highlights of his 60 year medical career included involvement in the eradication of smallpox (1979); the development of the jet injector
Jet injector
A jet injector is a type of medical injecting syringe that uses a high-pressure narrow jet of the injection liquid instead of a hypodermic needle to penetrate the epidermis...
for vaccines and of oral rehydration for the victims of debilitating diarrhea; AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, cholera, and laboratory technology. He subsequently held academic positions at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
; the Department of Community Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is a medical school found in the University of Kentucky's Chandler Medical Center in Lexington, KY.-History:...
in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
; and the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Graduate School of Public Health
San Diego State University College of Health & Human Services
The College of Health and Human Services faculty, through advising, teaching, and supervising, offers students academic study, field placement, clinical experiences, and research opportunities. The College offers professional education in the health and human service disciplines...
at San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
in California.
Awards and honors
- Joseph E. Smadel Memorial lecture (1981)
- Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (1983)
- K. F. Meyer Gold-Headed Cane from the American Veterinary Epidemiological Society (1984).
- Distinguished Civilian Service Award (1990)
- American Public Health Association's Award for Excellence in (1991)
- American Public Health Association's John Snow Award (1992)
- The Benenson Distinguished Lecture, to be inaugurated on 13 Apr 2007, in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health will be an annual lecture series at the GSPH.