Background
Mervyn Wilfred Susser was born on 26 September 1921 in Johannesburg, South Africa to Solomon and Ida Rose (née Son) Susser. His mother committed suicide when he was a young boy.
(This book provides the first systematic and in-depth epid...)
This book provides the first systematic and in-depth epidemiological treatment of prenatal development, from fertilization to birth. It lays the groundwork for causal thinking about prenatal development by discussing criteria for evaluating observed associations between teratogens and developmental outcomes. The authors map development epidemiologically, dealing with the probabilities of conception and early loss, the relation between miscarriage and chromosome abnormalities, and the questions of recurrence and environmental influences on pregnancy loss. The discussion of fetal growth distinguishes between preterm delivery, retarded growth, and immaturity. Indices for measuring growth are analyzed. The predominant maternal and environmental influences on prenatal growth and birth weight are reconciled with the genetic contribution to postnatal growth. Finally, the book examines the major issues of maternal age and parity, and addresses the public health challenge of monitoring and surveillance. As a unique synthesis of epidemiological knowledge, this volume perfectly complements the more well-known work being done in prenatal development in the fields of biology, physiology, and genetics.
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(Virtually rewritten and brought thoroughly up to date, th...)
Virtually rewritten and brought thoroughly up to date, the new edition of this solidly referenced text stresses the influence of social and cultural factors on global pattern of illness and health care, and demonstrates how the social sciences can help interpret these patterns. The first part, focusing on broad societal issues, has been completely rewritten and is now equally informed by sociological and epidemiological insights into health problems. The second part, completely updated, retains its focus on family life, examining the health effects of the interplay between individual, family and society on the individual throughout the entire life cycle. This is an excellent text for courses in medical sociology and community health in medical schools and school of public health, and will be useful in courses in social work and sociology. In addition, the authors have greatly expanded the data on the United States, making this edition an invaluable reference for public health researchers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192649124/?tag=2022091-20
Mervyn Wilfred Susser was born on 26 September 1921 in Johannesburg, South Africa to Solomon and Ida Rose (née Son) Susser. His mother committed suicide when he was a young boy.
Bachelor of Medicine, BChir, University Witwatersrand, Union of South Africa, 1950. Diploma public health, London Conjoint Board, 1960. Division of Medical Sciences (honorary), University Witwatersrand, 1993.
He is considered as one of the pioneers of epidemiology in the twentieth century. His family moved to Mokopane in Limpopo Province, where he learned to track game in the wild. Susser married Zena Stein in 1949.
Susser and Stein had at least three children, including Ezra Susser, Ruth Susser and Ida Susser.
In this work they were influenced and mentored by Sidney Kark. In 1955, Susser and Stein left South Africa for political reasons, taking positions at Manchester University.
While there the couple published a paper on the epidemiology of peptic ulcers and Susser coauthored an early textbook on Medical Sociology, among other contributions. In 1965, Susser and Stein moved to Columbia University to lead the Division of Epidemiology.
Ideas from a series of lectures given at Columbia were published in the book Causal Thinking in the Health Sciences.
At Columbia, Susser founded the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, where he was named a chairman Towards the end of their careers, Susser and Stein became increasingly concerned about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic both in New York and in South Africa. He died on 14 August 2014 in Hastings-on-Hudson, New New York
On learning of his death, aged 92, Section27 issued the following statement:
His contribution to the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus pandemic cannot be overstated.
Mervyn and Zena were instrumental in highlighting the possible impact of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus pandemic in South Africa from the late 1980s. He worked alongside Doctor Salim (Slim) Abdool Karim to submit the first successful application to Fogarty in 1993 which sought to build strategic, sustainable scientific capacity to enhance the response to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome epidemic in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.
(Virtually rewritten and brought thoroughly up to date, th...)
(This book provides the first systematic and in-depth epid...)
(181 printed pages with black and white illustrations, cha...)
They helped to organise a conference in Maputo in April 1990, which aimed to alert the African National Congress about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic in South Africa, sadly with limited effect.
President Committee Health in Southern Africa, 1984-1994. With South African Defence Force, 1940-1945. Fellow: American Public Health Association (Rema Lapouse lecturer 2005, John Snow award 1994, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Lifetime Achievement award 2005), New York Academy Medicine, American Epidemiological Society, Royal College Physicians (Edinburgh), Faculty of Public Health Medicine of Royal College Physicians United Kingdom (honorary), American College Epidemiology (honorary).
Member: Physicians for Human Rights, Institute Medicine (senior ), Society Pediatrics Epidemiological Research, Society Social Medicine United Kingdom (honorary), Society Epidemiological Research, World Psychiatric Association, International Epidemiological Association.
Married Zena Athene Stein, March 28, 1949. Children: Ida, Ezra, Ruth.