D.A. Henderson — MDRPedia
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D.A. Henderson

Epidemiology

United States

40 H-Index
402 Total Impact
NHPresidential Medal of Freedom (2002)0
NHNational Medal of Science (1986)0

Overview

D.A. Henderson was an epidemiology and public health specialist with an H-index of 50 at the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Led the WHO global smallpox eradication campaign (1966-1977), achieving the only eradication of a human disease. Based in United States.

For Patients

  • Pioneered the Ring vaccination and surveillance-containment strategy for smallpox eradication, a technique still used by doctors worldwide
  • Based at World Health Organization in United States

Biography

Donald Ainslie Henderson was an American physician and epidemiologist who led the World Health Organization's global smallpox eradication campaign from 1966 to 1977, achieving the only complete eradication of a human disease in history. He later served as Dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and became a leading advisor on bioterrorism preparedness following the September 11 attacks.

Affiliations & Institutions

Areas of Expertise

Pioneering Techniques

Ring vaccination and surveillance-containment strategy for smallpox eradication

Medical Specialties

Legacy Timeline

The life and contributions of D.A. Henderson

1966

Appointed head of the WHO Smallpox Eradication Programme

1977

Last natural case of smallpox recorded in Somalia, marking the end of the disease

1980

WHO officially certified the global eradication of smallpox

1990

Became Dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Related Specialists

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