Michael H Merson

Interim Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Clinical Professor of Global and Environmental Health

Professional overview

Michael Merson is Interim Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Clinical Professor of Global and Environmental Health at NYU. He also the William Joklik Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Global Health at Duke University, where he served as the founding director of the Duke Global Health Institute and as Vice President and Vice Provost for Global Affairs. His current research is focused on policy issues related to the response to pandemics, evaluating the rollout of Paxlovid in low-income countries and on ways to regain trust in public health.

Prior to NYU, he joined the faculty at Yale University as its first Dean of Public Health. Before entering academia, between 1980 and 1995, Dr. Merson served as director of the World Health Organization (WHO) programs on Diarrheal Diseases and Acute Respiratory Infections, and subsequently the WHO Global Program on AIDS. He has authored over 150 articles, is the senior editor of a leading global health textbook “Global Health: Disease, Programs, Systems, and Policies” and lead author of The AIDS Pandemic: Searching for a Global Response on the history of the global response to AIDS. He has served in advisory capacities for UNAIDS, WHO, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, World Bank, World Economic Forum, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and was an advisor to various private sector entities on the COVID-19 pandemic. He has two honorary degrees and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Education

B.A., 1966, cum laude, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts

M.D., 1970, summa cum laude, SUNY, Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn, New York

Honors and awards

Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Distinguished Leadership Award (2018)

Duke Medical Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award (2017)

Master Teacher Award in Preventive Medicine, Downstate Medical Center (2010)

Outstanding Contribution to the Campaign Against HIV/AIDS, Russian Association Against AIDS (2000)

Connecticut Health Commissioner’s AIDS Leadership Award (1998)

Connecticut Health Commissioner’s AIDS Leadership Award (1997)

Frank Babbott Alumni Award (1995)

Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal (1993)

Commendation Medal, US Public Health Service; (1986)

Arthur S. Flemming Award for Outstanding Federal Service (1983)

Commendation Medal, US Public Health Service (1975)

Publications

Publications

Estimating the cost of unmet HIV-prevention needs in the United States

Holtgrave, D. R., Pinkerton, S. D., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2002

Journal title

American journal of preventive medicine

Volume

23

Issue

1

Page(s)

7-12

10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00447-6

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Although new HIV infection cases have dropped from over 160,000 per year in the mid-1980s to 40,000 per year in the 1990s, HIV incidence has been relatively unchanged for a decade. This number of annual incident infections suggests that substantial, unmet HIV-prevention needs continue to fuel the HIV epidemic in the United States. Objectives: This study estimates the cost of addressing the unmet HIV-prevention needs in the United States and establishes a performance standard by estimating the number of HIV infections that would have to be prevented in order for these programs to be considered cost saving to society. Methods: Standard methods of cost and threshold analysis were employed in this study. Interventions needed to address unmet behavioral risks include services to reduce sexual risk of HIV infection, services to provide access to sterile syringes for people who cannot stop injecting drugs, HIV counseling and testing, and intensive preventive services to help HIV-seropositive people avoid transmitting the virus to others. Results: If brief interventions are utilized to address sexual behavior risk, the total program cost (over and above current resource levels) is just over $817 million; and if more expensive multisession, small-group interventions are used, the costs increase to over $1.85 billion. However, even the higher-cost program has a threshold of only 12,000 infections that must be prevented in order for the program to be considered a cost saving to society. Conclusions: Addressing the remaining unmet HIV-preventive needs in the United States will require a substantial commitment of resources. However, even a greatly expanded HIV-preventive program in the United States could pay for itself through savings in averted medical care costs.

Ethics of placebo-controlled trials of zidovudine to prevent the perinatal transmission of HIV in the Third World [1]

Merson, M. H., Merson, M. H., Simmons, R. J., Rogers, M. F., Dondero, T. J., Francis, D. P., Meidde, E. K., Blanche, S., Kim, R. J., Sharif, S. K., Tafesse, E., Murphy, T. F., Ijsselmuiden, C. B., Herrington, D., Piott, P., Glantz, L. H., Grodin, M. A., Lallemant, M., McIntosh, K., … Lurie, P. (n.d.).

Publication year

1998

Journal title

New England Journal of Medicine

Volume

338

Issue

12

Page(s)

836-841

10.1056/NEJM199803193381213

Abstract

Abstract

~

Evolution of the world health organization's programmatic actions to control diarrheal diseases

Wolfheim, C., Fontaine, O., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2019

Journal title

Journal of Global Health

Volume

9

Issue

2

10.7189/jogh.09.020802

Abstract

Abstract

The Program for the Control of Diarrheal Diseases (CDD) of the World Health Organization (WHO) was created in 1978, the year the Health for All Strategy was launched at the Alma Ata International Conference on Primary Health Care. CDD quickly became one of the pillars of this strategy, with its primary goal of reducing diarrhea-associated mortality among infants and young children in developing countries. WHO expanded the previous cholera-focused unit into one that addressed all diarrheal diseases, and uniquely combined support to research and to national CDD Programs. We describe the history of the Program, summarize the results of the research it supported, and illustrate the outcome of the Program's control efforts at country and global levels. We then relate the subsequent evolution of the Program to an approach that was more technically broad and programmatically narrow and describe how this affected diarrheal diseases-related activities globally and in countries.

Explaining long-term HIV survivors.

Merson, M. H., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1994

Journal title

International Nursing Review

Volume

41

Issue

6

Page(s)

169-170

Abstract

Abstract

~

Factors associated with the decline in under-five diarrhea mortality in India : A LiST analysis

Choudhary, T. S., Sinha, B., Khera, A., Bhandari, N., Chu, Y., Jackson, B., Walker, N., Black, R. E., Merson, M. H., & Bhan, M. K. (n.d.).

Publication year

2019

Journal title

Journal of Global Health

Volume

9

Issue

2

10.7189/jogh.09.020804

Abstract

Abstract

Background India has achieved 86% reduction in the number of under-five diarrheal deaths from 1980 to 2015. Nonetheless diarrhea is still among the leading causes of under-five deaths. The aim of this analysis was to study the contribution of factors that led to decline in diarrheal deaths in the country and the effect of scaling up of intervention packages to address the remaining diarrheal deaths. Methods We assessed the attribution of different factors and intervention packages such as direct diarrhea case management interventions, nutritional factors and WASH interventions which contributed to diarrhea specific under-five mortality reduction (DSMR) during 1980 to 2015 using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). The potential impact of scaling up different packages of interventions to achieve universal coverage levels by year 2030 on reducing the number of remaining diarrheal deaths were estimated. Results The major factors associated with DSMR reduction in under-fives during 1980 to 2015, were increase in ORS use, reduction in stunting prevalence, improved sanitation, changes in age appropriate breastfeeding practices, increase in the vitamin-A supplementation and persistent diarrhea treatment. ORS use and reduction in stunting were the two key interventions, each accounting for around 32% of the lives saved during this period. Scaling up the direct diarrhea case management interventions from the current coverage levels in 2015 to achieve universal coverage levels by 2030 can save around 82 000 additional lives. If the universal targets for nutritional factors and WASH interventions can be achieved, an additional 23 675 lives can potentially be saved. Conclusions While it is crucial to improve the coverage and equity in ORS use, an integrated approach to promote nutrition, WASH and direct diarrhea interventions is likely to yield the highest impact on reducing the remaining diarrheal deaths in under-five children.

Fecal steroids in diarrhea. II. Travellers' diarrhea

Merson, M. H., Huang, C. T., Udall, J. N., Merson, M., & Nichols, B. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

1978

Journal title

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Volume

31

Issue

4

Page(s)

626-632

10.1093/ajcn/31.4.626

Abstract

Abstract

Fecal bile acid and neutral sterol patterns of five healthy adult volunteers from the United States who contracted travellers' diarrhea in Mexico City in 1974 were studied. The only pathogen in four of these patients was the heat-stable-only enterotoxin producing strain of Escherichia coli. Stool culture for pathogens was negative in the fifth subject. Bacterial 7α-dehydroxylation of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids was not altered in diarrhea associated with toxigenic E. coli heat-stable, although total concentrations of bile acids in the feces in mg/g of feces (wet weight) were decreased during the diarrheal episode (1.3 ± 0.2 versus 3.3 ± 0.4 in controls, P < 0.02). Consistent with findings on bile acids, no significant changes in the production of coprostanol from cholesterol were observed. Although total concentrations of cholesterol metabolites, in milligrams per grams of feces (wet weight), were reduced in diarrhea, the difference was not significant statistically (2.2 ± 0.9 versus 5.4 ± 0.8 in controls, P > 0.05). There was an apparent increase in bacterial alteration of fecal steroids in the subject who showed no pathogens in stool culture, despite a decrease in total steroid concentrations of a magnitude similar to those observed in diarrhea associated with E. coli heat-stable. The production of coprostanol was correlated with 7α-dehydroxylation of cholic acid (r = 0.829, P < 0.001) and chenodeoxycholic acid (r = 0.749, P < 0.001). The results from this study are in striking contrast to the changes in gastrointestinal steroid metabolism previously observed in acute shigellosis.

Fish and Shellfish Poisoning

Hughes, J. M., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1976

Journal title

New England Journal of Medicine

Volume

295

Issue

20

Page(s)

1117-1120

10.1056/NEJM197611112952006

Abstract

Abstract

Vertebrate fish containing toxins capable of causing human illness are divided into three categories based on the location of the toxin.1 Ichthyosarcotoxic fish contain toxin in their musculature, viscera, skin or mucus and are responsible for most cases of fish poisoning. Ichthyo-otoxic fish have toxin in their gonads, and ichthyohemotoxic fish contain toxin in their blood; poisoning due to these fish is relatively rare. Of the nine types of ichthyosarcotoxism, ciguatera, scombroid and puffer-fish poisoning (tetrodotoxism) are the most common worldwide. Shellfish may cause paralysis (paralytic shellfish poisoning) if they contain toxin derived from the dinoflagellates Gonyaulax catenella or Go.

Food borne botulism in the United States, 1970 to 1975

Merson, M. H., Horwitz, M. A., Hughes, J. M., Merson, M. H., & Gangarosa, E. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1977

Journal title

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

136

Issue

1

Page(s)

153-159

10.1093/infdis/136.1.153

Abstract

Abstract

~

Food borne disease outbreaks in the United States, 1973

Merson, M. H., Hughes, J. M., Merson, M. H., & Pollard, R. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

1975

Journal title

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

132

Issue

2

Page(s)

224-228

10.1093/infdis/132.2.224

Abstract

Abstract

~

Foodborne disease outbreaks of chemical etiology in the United States, 1970-1974

Hughes, J. M., Horwitz, M. A., Merson, M. H., Barker, W. H., & Gangarosa, E. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1977

Journal title

American Journal of Epidemiology

Volume

105

Issue

3

Page(s)

233-244

10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112379

Abstract

Abstract

In the United States between 1970 and 1974 there was an increase each year both in the absolute number of foodborne disease outbreaks of chemical etiology reported to the Center for Disease Control and in the proportion of these outbreaks in the total reported foodborne disease outbreaks. Nearly half (48.9%) of these foodborne disease outbreaks of chemical origin were caused by toxic fish or shellfish. Of the rest, 16.5% were caused by poisonous mushrooms, 10.9% by heavy metal poisoning, 7.2% by excessive use in food of monosodium. glutamate (the etiologic agent of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome) and 16.5% by miscellaneous chemicals. Practices that contributed to the occurrence of these outbreaks included the inadvertent selection for consumption of toxic fish, shellfish, or mushrooms, storage of fish at improper temperatures, storage of acidic liquids in metal containers, and addition of excessive amounts of monosodium glutamate to foods. Commercially-processed foods were responsible for outbreaks of scombroid fish poisoning, shellfish poisoning, and heavy metal poisoning. Because outbreaks of chemical etiology due to contaminated commercial products do occur, prompt recognition and reporting of outbreaks to public health personnel are essential so that epidemiologic investigations can be conducted and effective control measures promptly initiated.

Foodborne outbreak of shigellosis caused by an unusual Shigella strain

Merson, M. H., Huq, I., Alam, A. K., Morris, G. K., Wathen, G., & Merson, M. (n.d.).

Publication year

1980

Journal title

Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Volume

11

Issue

4

Page(s)

337-339

10.1128/jcm.11.4.337-339.1980

Abstract

Abstract

A family outbreak of foodborne shigellosis caused by an unusual strain of Shigella is described. The strain was a mannitol-positive variant of Shigella dysenteriae and agglutinated in antiserum prepared against provisional serotype 3341-55.

Foreword

Merson, M. H., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1991

Journal title

AIDS

Volume

5

Issue

SUPPL. 1

Page(s)

I+II+

Abstract

Abstract

~

From Hendra to Wuhan : what has been learned in responding to emerging zoonotic viruses

Wang, L. F., Anderson, D. E., Mackenzie, J. S., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2020

Journal title

The Lancet

Volume

395

Issue

10224

Page(s)

e33-e34

10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30350-0

Abstract

Abstract

~

From the Center for Disease Control : outbreaks of waterborne for disease control: outbreaks of Waterborne disease in the United States, 1973

Merson, M. H., Hughes, J. M., Merson, M. H., Craun, G. F., & McCabe, L. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1975

Journal title

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

132

Issue

3

Page(s)

336-339

10.1093/infdis/132.3.336

Abstract

Abstract

~

Gastrointestinal Illness on Passenger Cruise Ships

Merson, M. H., Hughes, J. M., Wood, B. T., Yashuk, J. C., & Wells, J. G. (n.d.).

Publication year

1975

Journal title

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

231

Issue

7

Page(s)

723-727

10.1001/jama.1975.03240190027011

Abstract

Abstract

Medical logs of 2,445 cruises taken by 38 vessels over a 20-month period beginning Jan 1, 1972, were reviewed. On 92% of the cruises, the recorded incidence of gastrointestinal illness was 1% or less; on 2% of cruises, it was 5% or greater. The actual incidence of gastrointestinal illness determined by a questionnaire survey of passengers sailing on nine cruises was found to be at least four times as high as that recorded in the medical logs. Although the cause of the illnesses was not known, there was evidence that transmission took place aboard ship. A survey of food-handling practices and water systems aboard selected ships demonstrated a significant potential for transmission of foodborne and waterborne disease.

Global AIDS prevention and control.

Merson, M. H., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1990

Journal title

Hygie

Volume

9

Issue

4

Page(s)

5-7

Abstract

Abstract

~

Global dimensions of the AIDS epidemic : Implications for prevention and care

Merson, M. H., Dayton, J. M., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2000

Journal title

Infectious Disease Clinics of North America

Volume

14

Issue

4

Page(s)

791-808

10.1016/S0891-5520(05)70134-3

Abstract

Abstract

~

Global estimates and epidemiology of HIV-1 infections and AIDS : further heterogeneity in spread and impact.

Merson, M. H., Mertens, T. E., Belsey, E., Stoneburner, R. L., Beer, D. L., Sato, P., Burton, A., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1995

Journal title

AIDS (London, England)

Volume

9 Suppl A

Page(s)

S259-272

Abstract

Abstract

~

Global health and university patents

Kapczynski, A., Crone, E. T., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2003

Journal title

Science

Volume

301

Issue

5640

Page(s)

1629

10.1126/science.301.5640.1629

Abstract

Abstract

~

Global hearing health care : new findings and perspectives

Wilson, B. S., Tucci, D. L., Merson, M. H., & O'Donoghue, G. M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2017

Journal title

The Lancet

Volume

390

Issue

10111

Page(s)

2503-2515

10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31073-5

Abstract

Abstract

In 2015, approximately half a billion people had disabling hearing loss, about 6·8% of the world's population. These numbers are substantially higher than estimates published before 2013, and point to the growing importance of hearing loss and global hearing health care. In this Review, we describe the burden of hearing loss and offer our and others' recommendations for halting and then reversing the continuing increases in this burden. Low-cost possibilities exist for prevention of hearing loss, as do unprecedented opportunities to reduce the generally high treatment costs. These possibilities and opportunities could and should be exploited. Additionally, a comprehensive worldwide initiative like VISION 2020 but for hearing could provide a focus for support and also enable and facilitate the increased efforts that are needed to reduce the burden. Success would produce major personal and societal gains, including gains that would help to fulfil the “healthy lives” and “disability inclusive” goals in the UN's new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Global progress in the control of diarrheal diseases

Claeson, M., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1990

Journal title

Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal

Volume

9

Issue

5

Page(s)

345-355

10.1097/00006454-199005000-00008

Abstract

Abstract

~

Glucose vs sucrose in oral rehydration solutions for infants and young children with rotavirus-associated diarrhea

Merson, M. H., Black, R. E., Merson, M. H., Taylor, P. R., Yolken, R. H., & Sack, D. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

1981

Journal title

Pediatrics

Volume

67

Issue

1

Page(s)

79-83

Abstract

Abstract

The use of oral dehydration solutions containing essential electrolytes and either glucose or sucrose of equal osmolality was compared in a double-blind sequential trial of 784 children with rotavirus-associated diarrhea treated at a center in rural Bangladesh. The oral fluid failure rate was 11.5% for the sucrose-containing group (P = NS). Vomiting was a significantly more common cause of failure for the group treated with sucrose-containing oral rehydration solution and was associated with an increased rate of intake of the sweeter sucrose-containing solution. The purging rate was not different for the two groups. The oral fluid failure rates for children in the most underweight category (

Government-NGO collaboration and sustainability of orphans and vulnerable children projects in southern Africa

Rosenberg, A., Hartwig, K., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2008

Journal title

Evaluation and Program Planning

Volume

31

Issue

1

Page(s)

51-60

10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2007.08.005

Abstract

Abstract

Given current donor attention to orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, and the need for a new framework that recognizes the complementary roles of nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), this analysis reviews NGO-operated community-based orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) projects in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. There has been a lack of attention within the field of evaluation to inter-organizational relationships, specifically those with government agencies, as a factor in sustainability. We analyzed evaluations of nine OVC projects funded by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation for the influence of government-NGO collaboration on project sustainability. For eight of the nine projects, evaluations provided evidence of the importance of the government partnership for sustainability. Government collaboration was important in projects designed to help families access government grants, initiate community-based solutions, and advocate for OVC rights through legislation. Government partnerships were also critical to the sustainability of two projects involved in placing children in foster care, but these showed signs of tension with government partners. In addition to the more common factors associated with sustainability, such as organizational characteristics, donors and NGOs should concentrate on developing strong partnerships with local and national government agencies for the sustainability of their projects.

HIV and drug use in Eurasia

Heimer, R., Booth, R. E., Irwin, K., & Merson, M. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2007

Page(s)

141-163

10.1057/9780230603394_8

Abstract

Abstract

The twin epidemics of drug addiction and HIV simultaneously emerged in the Eurasia region in the late 1990s. Both were unanticipated by health establishments. Failure to act slowed the collection of detailed data and effective responses. In this chapter, we report on our observations and on those of our colleagues. To provide a proper sense of the problem created by the slow response of most of the governments in the region, this chapter combines a description of our experiences with the limited data available from scholarly sources.

Identifying acute HIV infection in Rhode Island.

Beckwith, C. G., Cornwall, A. H., Dubrow, R., Chapin, K., Ducharme, R., Rodriguez, I., Velasquez, L., Merson, M. H., Sikkema, K. J., & Mayer, K. (n.d.).

Publication year

2009

Journal title

Medicine and health, Rhode Island

Volume

92

Issue

7

Page(s)

231-233

Abstract

Abstract

~