Occupational Safety and Health In the area of occupational health, we have doubled in two years the number of health hazard evaluations performed. Upon request from employers or employees we investigate workplace hazards and recommend specific controls. For example, a Health Hazard Evaluation at a Pennsylvania plant found workers exposed to high levels of the established carcinogenic trichloroethylene. A followup visit showed that use of the controls recommended by NIOSH reduced exposure levels below the recommended average levels. We have also learned more about the potential hazards in the workplace that could effect the reproductive capabilities of the men and women that make up our Nation's work force. In response to inadequacies conerning personal protective equipment, we have redirected and improved our certification program. Epidemic Services CDC has become well known over the years for our provision of epidemic aid, and the investigation of puzzling disease problems. During the year, we responded to more than 130 epidemic investigations from headquarters and our offices in the field have been involved in more than 1,200 investigations. Of the many outbreaks investigated in 1980, perhaps the most widely known was our investigation of Toxic Shock Syndrome. In early 1980, CDC became aware, through its disease surveillance network, of an apparent increase in this syndrome. It was only after intensive investigation that it was found that the disease occurred primarily during a woman's menstrual cycle and that women who used tampons were at increased risk. When this finding was made, CDC immediately notified the Food and Drug Administration, which has regulatory authority. These two agencies working cooperatively with tampon manufacturers took the steps necessary to alert and protect our citizens. In addition to the more glamorous disease detective work, we were also engaged in activities related to public health practice. During the year there were two scientific/technical advances worthy of special note. CDC undertook field trials of a killed virus vaccine against Hepatitis B the results of these trials are expected to show the vaccine to be highly effective and safe. We are now working on Hepatitis A which has been shown to be a problem in day-care centers. We are hoping that we are finally seeing a payoff for the years of research that have been devoted to this extremely serious infectious disease. Prevention Technology We have continued to share our practical knowledge and experience in disease prevention and control with public health workers across the country through our training efforts, our laboratory improvement program, and our hospital infections initiatives. Perhaps the most exciting aspect is our work on hybridomas. Using cloning techniques, CDC participated in the development of methods for producing highly purified antigens. The use of these systems, called hybridomas, is expected to revolutionize clinical labortory diagnosis and may prove to be an important factor in the future development of vaccines. This technology is one of the most significant advances in laboratory science in decades. We will share the results of our efforts with clinical laboratories across the country. Lethal Viruses CDC is the only civilian agency operating laboratories that are equipped to handle Class 4 agents (disease agents that are characterized as being highly infectious, deadly, and lacking in means of prevention or treatment). For example, we assisted in the handling of an outbreak of Marburg Fever in Nairobi. To strengthen our protection against possible importations of these agents, we have developed a system of quarantine, surveillance, and treatment of persons suspected of having been infected by a Class 4 agent. Federal Regulations CDC is primarily a service organization, therefore, most regulations developed by the Centers are required to clarify and implement assistance programs. Few are regulatory in nature. The regulatory activities include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Quarantine activities and medical examinations of aliens man- Regulations relating to the interstate shipment of etiologic Regulations pertaining to respirator and air sampling equipment require that NIOSH certify such equipment before marketing. Under an Interagency Agreement between PHS and HCFA concerning clinical laboratories, development and promulgation of standards and provision of quality control for the uniformity and effectiveness of the enforcement of those standards. Under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act in 1977, assurance that all miners have an opportunity to have medical exams. As a rule, CDC's other regulations do not impact upon the general public. They have the most direct application for agency grantees and contractors. Enforcement of grant guidelines and regulations is part of the ongoing program management carried out by project and grants management officers on a day-to-day basis. The character of this enforcement is to assure that grantees are expending Federal funds in conformance with the purpose for which they were appropriated. The amount of resources devoted to regulation activities in 1981 is: $1.4 million and 39 workyears for development, $.1 million and 4.5 workyears for promulgation, and $2 million and 60 workyears for enforcement. For 1981, the burden on the private sector is $.95 million. 83-720 0 - 81 - 8 NAME POSITION BIRTHPLACE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control Biographical Sketch : William H. Foege, M.D. : Director, Centers for Disease Control : Decorah, Iowa, March 12, 1936 : Pacific Lutheran University, 1957, B.A. University of Washington Medical School, 1961, M.D. EXPERIENCE 1977 Present : Director, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, 1976-1977 : Assistant Director for Operations, Center for 1975-1976 : Assistant to the Director, Center for Disease Control 1973-1975 : Medical Officer, World Health Organization, New Delhi, India 1970-1973 : 1969-1970 : Director, Smallpox Eradication Program, Center for Chief, International Branch, Smallpox Eradication 1968-1969 : Chief of Operations Area B, Nigeria, Dahomey, Togo, and Ghana, Smallpox Eradication/Measles Control Program, National Communicable Disease Center Epidemiologist, Smallpox Eradication/Measles Control Program Eastern Nigeria 1966-1967 : 1965-1966 : Medical Officer, Immanuel Medical Center, Yahe, 1962-1964 : Epidemic Intelligence Service, Communicable Disease 1961-1962 : Center Intern, USPHS Hospital, Staten Island, New York 1967-1976 : World Health Organization Consultant TEACHING APPOINTMENTS : Visiting Lecturer on Tropical Public Health in the School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia American Public Health Association Royal Society of Tropical Medicine American Academy for the Advancement of Science |