Earth Institute News Archive
posted 10/27/03
Jeffrey
Sachs Elected to Institute of Medicine
Institute of Medicine Elects 65 New Members, Five Foreign
Associates
Photo by Bruce Gilbert
October 27, 2003 - Jeffrey Sachs has been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, it was announced today. New members are elected each year on the basis of professional achievement and demonstrated interest, concern, and involvement with critical issues that affect public health. Only one-quarter of new members are selected from outside the field of medicine.
"Dr. Sachs' extraordinary leadership and global vision regarding the bridging of development economics and health influences investment in global health, and will affect millions of lives in resource-poor countries," said Allan Rosenfield, MD, dean of the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. "As one of the most influential and outspoken economists emphasizing the impact of health on economic growth, Dr. Sachs will make important contributions to the work of the Institute of Medicine," he added.
Sachs, who is Professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health as well as being director of the Earth Institute and Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, has been involved in providing health care to the world’s poor for years. During 2000-2001, he was Chairman of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health of the World Health Organization. The commission recommended ways in which countries can use health care spending as a development tool by aiming health spending at diseases and public health issues that drag down regional economies.
As Director of the Earth Institute, he was instrumental in creating the Center for Global Health and Economic Development (CGHED) a collaboration between the Mailman School of Public Health and the Earth Institute. Through partnerships with the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and private donors, the CGHED works to address critical global health issues. For example, the center’s ACCESS project helps governments to design programs and obtain Global Fund money to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The CGHED is also currently active in helping the government of Rwanda to implement its Global Fund-supported anti-AIDS program.
Current active members of the Institute of Medicine elect new members from among candidates nominated for their professional achievement and commitment to service. An unusual diversity of talent among members is assured by the Institute's charter, which stipulates that at least one-quarter be selected from outside the health professions, from such fields as the natural, social, and behavioral sciences, as well as law, administration, engineering, and the humanities.
"It is a great pleasure to welcome these distinguished and influential individuals to the Institute of Medicine," said IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg. "Members are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes those who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health."
Established in 1970 as a unit of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine is concerned with the advancement of the health professions and sciences, the promotion of research and development pertinent to health, and the improvement of health care.
The Earth Institute at Columbia University is the world’s leading academic center for the integrated study of Earth, its environment, and society. The Earth Institute builds upon excellence in the core disciplines—earth sciences, biological sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences and health sciences—and stresses cross-disciplinary approaches to complex problems. Through its research, training and global partnerships, it mobilizes science and technology to advance sustainable development, while placing special emphasis on the needs of the world’s poor.
Additional Resources:
Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs' home page
The Earth Institute at Columbia University is among the world’s leading academic centers for the integrated study of Earth, its environment, and society. The Earth Institute builds upon excellence in the core disciplines—earth sciences, biological sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences and health sciences—and stresses cross-disciplinary approaches to complex problems. Through its research, training and global partnerships, it mobilizes science and technology to advance sustainable development, while placing special emphasis on the needs of the world’s poor.