Communicable concern: Health officials, scientists wait and watch for influenza outbreaks
The World Health Organization estimates that annual flu epidemics result in between three and five million cases of severe illness, and between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths. Those numbers don’t get influenza listed among the world’s leading causes of death or disability. But consider 1918, when an influenza pandemic known as the Spanish flu transcended continental divides on its way to causing between 20 and 50 million deaths worldwide. Today, as scientists study that virus to find the key to its bewildering virulence, and epidemiologists look for clues that will help them solve the mystery of avian flu, health officials warn that the next pandemic could be just around the corner.

What do you think?
HMI World invites reader responses.

Partner in India
pursues international standards of quality
Nowhere is the drive to enhance the quality of care more intense than in India, where Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute is working with HMI to gain recognition as a health care provider meeting international standards of care.

Health care professionals find common cause at second major
Practi-Med Dubai
Around 400 health care professionals from the Gulf Region and other areas gathered in Dubai for a series of interactive discussions on a wide range of issues commonly encountered in primary care.

Retiring Spellman leaves legacy of national and international cooperation

Thurer joins HMI as Chief Academic Officer for Dubai project

HMI and Novartis host second cardiology CME, and look ahead to programs for 2005

As new chair of AAMC, HMI’s Eckhert to bring global awareness to medical education challenges

Harold M. English fellow investigates origins of heart attacks

Annual leadership program reflects multidisciplinary
realities of health care and medical education

As the experience of one group of scholars demonstrates, the course offers some important lessons for members of the health care and academic community engaged in work that cuts across disciplines and departments.

Upcoming courses and events
Tenth Anniversary Harvard Macy Institute Symposium
April 7-10, 2005, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Program for Health Science Educators
Jan. 9-19 and
May 15-20, 2005
Boston, MA

Program for Leaders in Healthcare Education
June 12-17, 2005
Boston, MA

Top 10 health stories of 2004
Harvard Health Letter

How qualified are health claims for food?
Harvard Heart Letter

Timing is everything: Fluctuations in cardiac risk
Harvard Men’s Health Watch

Student-Faculty collaboration yields pharmacology text
Focus

A new theory on longevity
Harvard Magazine

Mechanism discovered for muscle wasting seen in diabetes, AIDS, and other diseases
Joslin Diabetes Center

Study identifies key aspect of immune response against HIV
Massachusetts General Hospital

Studies demonstrate positive data in treatment of Hepatitis C
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center