Alfred Sommer

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  Alfred Sommer

• Epidemiology and Statistics for the Ophthalmologist by Alfred Sommer

Alfred Sommer

Alfred Sommer is a prominent American ophthalmologist and epidemiologist known for his groundbreaking research in public health, particularly in the field of vitamin A deficiency and its impact on child mortality and blindness. His work has significantly influenced global health policies and interventions.

Early Life and Education

Alfred Sommer was born in 1942. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he developed an interest in medicine and public health. He later attended Harvard Medical School, earning his medical degree. Sommer also holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Career

Sommer began his career in medicine and public health with a focus on ophthalmology. He joined the faculty at the Johns Hopkins University and became a key figure in the Wilmer Eye Institute. His research interests led him to explore the relationship between vitamin A deficiency and various health outcomes.

Research on Vitamin A

Alfred Sommer's most notable contribution to public health is his research on vitamin A deficiency. In the 1970s and 1980s, Sommer conducted extensive field studies in Indonesia and other countries, demonstrating that vitamin A supplementation could significantly reduce child mortality rates. His studies showed that vitamin A deficiency was a major cause of xerophthalmia and night blindness in children, and that supplementation could prevent these conditions.

Sommer's research provided compelling evidence that vitamin A supplementation could reduce child mortality by up to 34% in areas where deficiency was prevalent. This work led to the widespread adoption of vitamin A supplementation programs in many developing countries, saving millions of lives.

Leadership and Influence

Alfred Sommer served as the Dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health from 1990 to 2005. During his tenure, he emphasized the importance of evidence-based public health interventions and expanded the school's global health initiatives.

Sommer has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to public health, including the Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research and the Gairdner Foundation International Award.

Legacy

Alfred Sommer's work has had a lasting impact on global health, particularly in the prevention of childhood blindness and mortality. His research on vitamin A deficiency has been instrumental in shaping public health policies and interventions worldwide.

Related Pages

• Vitamin A
• Xerophthalmia
• Night blindness
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Wilmer Eye Institute