ASPH Supports President Obama's Selection of New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, for CDC Director

WASHINGTON, May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ASPH commends President Barack Obama's appointment of New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH as the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In his announcement, President Obama hailed Frieden as "an expert in preparedness and response to health emergencies" and said, "his experiences confronting public health challenges in our country and abroad will be essential in this new role."

Dr. Frieden has been commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene since January 2002. As commissioner, Dr. Frieden has championed tobacco control, elimination of trans-fats from restaurants, diabetes surveillance, and public disclosure of calorie information in certain restaurants. During his tenure, New York City launched the nation's largest community-based project to use electronic health records.

Dean Linda Rosenstock ( UCLA ), chair of the ASPH Board, said, "This appointment reaffirms President Obama's commitment to the public's health as a national priority. Dr. Frieden is a forward-thinking leader with experience that demonstrates he is not afraid to take on a challenge in the interest of public health. As the leading U.S. public health agency, CDC will be fortunate to have him at the helm."

"Dr. Frieden's targeted, highly visionary and effective public health strategies have made him one of the strongest leaders on the public's health and urban health," said Linda P. Fried, dean and DeLamar Professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. "His willingness to take on important, controversial issues throughout his career and his use of science and policy to safeguard the public's health makes him an exceptional choice to lead the CDC."

Prior to becoming commissioner, Dr. Frieden worked in India to assist with national tuberculosis control efforts and served as an officer in the CDC Epidemiologic Intelligence Service. In addition to receiving his MD at Columbia University , Dr. Frieden also received his MPH degrees from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

About the Association of Schools of Public Health

ASPH represents the 40 Council on Education for Public Health accredited schools of public health (SPH) and promotes the efforts of SPH to improve the health of every person through education, research and policy. Based upon the belief that "you're only as healthy as the world you live in," ASPH works with the government and other professional organizations to develop solutions to the most pressing health concerns and provides access to the ongoing initiatives of the SPH.

Accredited SPH train the majority of public health professionals. These schools have a combined faculty of over 9,600 and educate more than 22,000 students annually. The schools graduate approximately 7,300 professionals each year. To learn more about ASPH and its member schools, visit www.asph.org.

Association of Schools of Public Health

CONTACT: Allison Foster, +1-202-296-1099, afoster@asph.org , or Laura
Biesiadecki, +1-202-296-1099, lbiesiadecki@asph.org , both of ASPH

Web site: http://www.asph.org/