Michael Osterholm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Osterholm
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Osterholm in 2021
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| Born | March 10, 1953 Waukon, Iowa, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Luther College (BA) University of Minnesota (MS, MPH, PhD) |
| Occupation | Epidemiologist |
| Years active | 1975–present |
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Notable work
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Deadliest Enemy (2017) |
| Board member of | COVID-19 Advisory Board |
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Michael Thomas Osterholm (born March 10, 1953) is an American epidemiologist. An epidemiologist is a scientist who studies how diseases spread and how to control them. He is a professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He also leads the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
In November 2020, Mr. Osterholm joined President Joe Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board. This group helped guide the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Osterholm was born in Waukon, Iowa.
He graduated from Luther College in 1975. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology and political science. Later, he studied at the University of Minnesota. There, he received his master's degree and Ph.D. in environmental health. He also earned a master's degree in epidemiology.
Career in Public Health
From 1975 to 1999, Mr. Osterholm worked at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). He was the state's top epidemiologist from 1984 to 1999. At the MDH, he helped improve how the department handled infectious diseases.
Studying Disease Outbreaks
Mr. Osterholm investigated many disease outbreaks. This included illnesses spread through food. He also studied the link between tampons and toxic shock syndrome. His work helped understand how diseases like hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could spread among healthcare workers.
He also led studies on infectious diseases in child-care centers. He researched diseases that could be prevented by vaccines, like Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. Other important work included studies on Lyme disease and new or returning infections.
Advising Government Leaders
From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Osterholm was a special advisor. He advised the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on bioterrorism and public health readiness. Bioterrorism is when harmful germs are used as weapons.
In 2002, he helped lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a short time. He also advised the CDC director during a change in leadership. In 2005, he was appointed to a national board that advises on biosecurity.
Sharing Knowledge
Mr. Osterholm often gives talks about how infectious diseases spread. He helps review articles for many science journals. These include important publications like the New England Journal of Medicine and Science.
He has also discussed the COVID-19 pandemic on popular shows. He appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and NBC's Meet the Press.
He led a research center focused on influenza (flu) from 2007 to 2014. He also served as president of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. He was a member of the CDC's Board of Scientific Counselors.
Mr. Osterholm has advised many important health organizations. These include the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration. He also advises the Department of Defense and the CDC.
He hosts a podcast called "The Osterholm Update: COVID-19". In this podcast, he shares weekly updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biosecurity Efforts
Mr. Osterholm has spoken out about the world's lack of readiness for a flu pandemic. A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across many countries. He has also been a global leader against using biological agents as weapons. He even advised King Hussein of Jordan on this topic.
His center, CIDRAP, has worked with the Department of Homeland Security since 2003. They help with a program called BioWatch, which monitors for harmful biological agents.
Books and Publications
In March 2017, Mr. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker published a book called Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs. The book talks about the danger of new diseases and how to prepare for them.
He has also written articles for well-known journals like Foreign Affairs and Nature. These articles discussed the threat of a flu pandemic before the 2009–10 pandemic. They also suggested steps to better prepare for such events.
Mr. Osterholm has written many articles for The New York Times. He has written about how cuts in funding for research can affect our ability to fight new infectious diseases. Overall, he has written more than 315 papers and 21 book chapters.
Awards and Recognition
Mr. Osterholm has received special honorary doctorates from Luther College and Des Moines University. He is also a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
His other awards include the Pumphandle Award from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. He also received the Charles C. Shepard Science Award from the CDC. The Food and Drug Administration gave him the Harvey W. Wiley Medal. He has also received six major research awards from the National Institutes of Health and the CDC.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Osterholm para niños
