Carvalho's Estimation Of Potential Ebola Numbers Coincide With CDC

Dr. John Carvalho calculated an estimation of the overall Ebola numbers possible by February 1st, 2014 and suggested 1.6 million possible infections if the cases continue to double every two weeks.  The CDC is estimating a similar number.  Though these are the "worst case" scenarios, international efforts to curb Ebola virus will need to be stepped up.  A pandemic of 1.4-1.6 million cases would be extremely challenging to control.http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/31/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-qa.html

John Carvalho Challenges Conventional Wisdom In New Book "The Crisis Of Our Time"

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/07/prweb12030806.htm

BREAKING NEWS: EXAMINER MAGAZINE REPORTING: Carvalho Publishes New Book

http://www.examiner.com/article/author-john-carvalho-publishes-provocative-new-book-the-crisis-of-our-time?cid=rss

Global Cancer Numbers Expected To Increase

The World Health Organization is reporting that the number of cancer cases around the world is expected to rise.  This is an interesting story because much of the increase in cases is likely to come from the developing world, where most of the developing world public health budget is focused on the three main diseases of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.  The new information has been reported by CNN at:  http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/04/health/who-world-cancer-report/

H5N1 Flu Virus Kills One In North America

I have just received word that the H5N1 Flu virus has killed one individual in North America.  This was published in Time.  The link is at: http://healthland.time.com/2014/01/08/north-american-bird-flu/?hpt=hp_t3

U.S. Geological Survey Informs Dr. Carvalho That There Were Low Levels Of Fallout From Fukushima Daichi

A few days ago, I contacted the United States Geological Survey, the White House, and the Huffington Post and asked each of them to investigate recent reports of a possible meltdown of the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.  The plant was damaged from the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami in recent years.  This morning, I received word from the U.S. Geological Survey that the nuclear fallout from the Fukushima plant was "below any public health concern."  Though it is clear that the longterm effects of Fukushima on the Japanese population and the world's oceanic wildlife remain to be determined, the scientific evidence at least reveals that the fallout will not cause immediate illness in the U.S., contrary to some recent reports on the internet.  A temporary evacuation of the West Coast is unwarranted, contrary to some speculation.  Nevertheless, it must be remembered that reports from the Environmental Protection Agency and USGS were in 2011 and 2012, and I strongly encourage all relevant national and international agencies to continue to monitor the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Plant and continue to gather scientific data on the effects of the fallout on the Japanese population and world's oceanic wildlife.  Monitoring of the plant should be continual.  Understanding the longterm public health effects and environmental effects will take a number of years.  For further reading on this issue please visit:

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3111#.UszPks1Qono

Dr. John Carvalho's Mini-Review Of "Introduction To Global Health" By Kathryn H. Jacobsen:  I wanted to take a few moments to endorse the "Introduction to Global Health" textbook by Kathryn H. Jacobsen.  Jacobsen has been a global health expert for many years.  The chapters in her introductory book are perfect for beginning undergraduate or graduate students in the field of global health.  She covers a wide array of topics including the kinds of statistics used, the infectious disease causing organisms around the world, nutrition deficiencies, economics and health financing, and the status of national disease burden.  Jacobsen's book is reminiscent of my various virology courses that I have taught at both Harvard University and California State University, Dominguez Hills (Medical and Molecular Virology: Virus Diseases and World Health; Virology; Advanced Virology).  I applaud her for linking the ideas of how poverty exacerbates and feeds off of infectious diseases/national health and how education also plays a critical role.  These concepts have been talked about in my own scholarly writings and have been taught in my courses.  Similarly, I acknowledge her excellent chapters on the Millennium Development Goals, the UNHCR, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  These ideas are inseparable from virology on the global level and are critical for understanding public health and truly gauging "outcomes" of public health policy.  In conclusion, Jacobsen's book is a MUST READ for any beginning global health student.