Bruce Aylward

Bruce Aylward is a Canadian physician and epidemiologist who has made significant contributions to global health, particularly in the field of polio eradication and infectious disease control. He is best known for his work with the World Health Organization (WHO), where he has held several key positions.

Early Life and Education

Bruce Aylward was born in Canada. He completed his medical degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland, followed by a degree in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Career

Aylward joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1992. He has held several key positions within the organization, including Senior Advisor to the Director-General, Assistant Director-General for Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration, and Interim Executive Director of the Outbreaks and Health Emergencies Cluster.

His work has primarily focused on the eradication of polio, a debilitating and potentially deadly infectious disease. Under his leadership, the WHO's Global Polio Eradication Initiative has made significant strides in reducing the incidence of polio worldwide.

In addition to his work on polio, Aylward has also been involved in the WHO's response to several major health emergencies, including the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2015 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognition

Aylward's contributions to global health have been widely recognized. He has received several awards and honors, including the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors.

See Also

• World Health Organization
• Polio
• Epidemiology
• Infectious disease

External Links

• WHO announcement of Bruce Aylward's appointment