Dr. Duane Stillions's Schools

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health MA in Public Health

Dr. Duane Stillions's Publications

• Public Health, Dr. Duane Stillions January, 2011 by Dr. Duane Stillions Some of the greatest advances in medical care over the last century have not come about because of doctors and hospitals, but rather because of the relatively new field of public health. For many centuries, officials in communities throughout the world have advised or ordered their residents to practice such hygienic practices as not washing their clothes in the public water supply and burning trash rather than allowing it to accumulate, the science of public health actually focuses on preventing disease and health crises for entire populations. Among the many initiatives undertaken by public health proponents are widespread vaccinations, health and disease awareness campaigns, and calls for clean housing or buildings not constructed with toxic materials. Among the sweeping initiatives implemented in recent years is the effort in the mid-20th century to eradicate polio in the United States. Working with officials from school systems, cities, counties, and states, public health professionals embarked on a campaign to vaccinate every at-risk person in the country. As new improvements were made to vaccines, officials ensured that young children were vaccinated via the creation of massive school-wide programs that ensured that all enrolled children participated. Public health experts knew that if such programs were not carried out at school, some parents would forget or refuse to have their own children vaccinated. The field of public health is comprised of many different disciplines, including epidemiology, health services administration, biostatistics, and environmental health. Such prestigious universities as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and the University of California at Los Angeles have well-known public health programs that have educated hundreds of noted professionals in this specialized and vital science.

• Dr. Duane Stillions: The Trevor Project, Dr. Duane Stillions February, 2011 by Dr. Duane Stillions Being a teenager is arduous enough, but youths who are experiencing questions or realizations about their sexuality face an even tougher challenge. To face this difficulty, The Trevor Project provides support to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) teens between the ages of 13 and 24. A nonprofit organization, The Trevor Project provides support via a nationwide 24-hour crisis and suicide prevention hotline called the Trevor Lifeline; an online question-and-answer board called Dear Trevor; a Web-based and confidential messaging service known as TrevorChat; and a social networking site for GLTBQ teens and their friends called TrevorSpace. The organization also provides educational resources, such as school workshops and kits to help educators and concerned adults facilitate conversations about gender identity, sexual orientation, and suicide. Many recent tragic GLTBQ teen suicides highlight the need for ongoing support of at-risk youths. Schools, sadly, remain the domain of bullies, and many GLBTQ teens report being singled out by their peers. Lack of self-worth, anger, and confusion lead GLBTQ teens to fear that things will never improve, and many youths lead lives of despair, spiraling into depression and even suicide. As a result of recent tragedies, The Trevor Project has sponsored a series of “It Gets Better” public service videos that feature celebrities assuring GLBTQ youths that things will improve, and providing resources. I am a proud sponsor of The Trevor Project. If you or someone you love is struggling with gender identity or sexual orientation issues, call the Trevor Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR. To volunteer or donate, visit www.TheTrevorProject.org. [Organizational Video – The Trevor Project]

• UNICEF focus areas, Dr. Duane Stillions February, 2011 Dr. Duane Stillions is an anesthesiologist and student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In addition, he contributes to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Founded in 1946 to provide aid to European children recovering from World War II, UNICEF focuses its activities into five major categories. Here is a brief overview of the five focuses of UNICEF. Child survival and development – According to UNICEF, more than 9 million children in 2007 died from preventable causes such as disease and malnutrition. To combat this alarming statistic, UNICEF focuses on the distribution of vaccines, nutrient supplements, and hygienic materials to children and their parents. UNICEF also works with national and international agencies to reduce the mortality rate among children. Basic education and gender equality – UNICEF supports the notion that education is a fundamental human right and that all children should have access to a free, compulsory education that embraces gender equality. Education has the potential to drive sustainable development and end cycles of poverty, improving the lives of all community members. Children and young adults with an education can effectively contribute to their society and ensure a brighter future for generations to come. HIV/AIDS and children – In many parts of the world, children and young adults possess little to no education on how to prevent, care for, and treat HIV and AIDS. UNICEF concentrates on four key areas: providing medical treatment for children with the HIV or AIDS, preventing the transmission of HIV at birth, slowing infection rates among adolescents and young adults, and protecting children with the disease. Child Protection – Around the world, children suffer from abuses including forced child labor, military service, and child marriage. UNICEF seeks to protect the victims of child abuse and prevent the proliferation of such activities. By working closely with national governments, local communities, and international human rights groups, UNICEF hopes to create a stable environment where children are safe from violence and exploitation. Policy advocacy and partnerships – To identify the best ways to serve the world’s children, UNICEF partners with national governments, lawmakers, and the media to perform research and advocate forward-thinking policies. By encouraging domestic agencies to enact legislation that protects the rights of women and children, UNICEF hopes to initiate changes that will last for many generations.

• Safe Drinking Water Crisis by Duane Stillions March, 2011 by Duane Stillions I am currently completing my Master’s in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Among my professional interests is safe drinking water, a critical substance to people around the world. I agree with the United Nations that clean water is a basic human right. One in six people in the world lacks access to safe, clean drinking water. Each day, every world resident needs between 20 and 50 liters of clean water for consumption, cleaning, and cooking. Not having a ready supply of clean water can lead to numerous diseases, such as cholera, a condition that includes symptoms such as diarrhea, and can ultimately result in death. Each year 1.8 million people die from such illnesses. Health concerns arising from contaminated water affect other areas of people’s lives as well, keeping them in a cycle of poverty and children unable to go to school. Why does the Earth face a risk of an inadequate clean water supply? Cities in many nations in the developing world are growing at a very fast pace, faster than the rate at which governments can build the necessary elements of infrastructure, such as sanitation systems. As a result, large collections of people pollute their sources of hydration with their own waste. In addition, seasonal changes in rain and snowfall affect the amount of water available in reservoirs and other freshwater sources. Wars, military conflicts, and natural disasters or other acts of God can also impact the amount of drinking water available to populations around the world. Another challenge facing emerging countries is that people in impoverished countries may lack the expertise to establish effective sanitation systems. They may also not know proper hygiene practices. Even if modern water treatment plants become available, the local population may not possess the knowledge to keep them running in the correct way. The National Academy of Sciences has teamed up with the Global Health and Education Foundation to provide information and potential solutions concerning safe drinking water. by Duane Stillions

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