Tip Sheet: George Mason University Experts Available to Discuss the Swine Flu Outbreak

Apr. 27, 2009

Media Contact: Marjorie Musick, mmusick@gmu.edu 703-993-8781

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The following George Mason University experts in the areas of epidemiology, public health, health administration, health care ethics and tourism are available to comment on the recent outbreak of swine flu.

EPIDEMIOLOGY — STUDY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND HOW THEY SPREAD

Kathryn H. Jacobsen
Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Human Services’ Department of Global and Community Health
Expertise: Infectious Diseases, Germs, Pandemics, Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health

Jacobsen is an assistant professor in the College of Health and Human Services’ Department of Global and Community Health. She teaches courses in epidemiology and international health, and is an expert in infectious diseases and how diseases spread. Her research seeks to better understand the health effects of economic and infrastructural development using a diverse range of epidemiologic methods, including the development of mathematical models of infectious disease transmission and field research. Jacobsen can speak about the spread of germs and about the specific risks one faces when traveling, using bathrooms, hotels, etc. She has worked with collaborators in Africa and South America designing, conducting, and analyzing program evaluations and studies of infectious disease epidemiology, and is the author of the textbook, Introduction to Global Health.

Media Contact: Marjorie Musick, (Office) 703-993-8781 (Cell) 571-217-2915, mmusick@gmu.edu

COMMUNICATIONS — STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT DISEASES AND OUTBREAKS

Gary L. Kreps
Professor of Health Communication, Chair of the Department of Communication and Director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication
Expertise: Health and Organizational Communication, Health Promotion, Multimedia Edutainment, Multicultural Relations, and Applied Research Methods

Kreps served as the founding chief of the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute where he developed national health communication research initiatives to promote cancer prevention and control. Kreps can discuss strategies for communicating information about infectious diseases and pandemics to the public. His published work includes more than 250 scholarly books and articles concerning the applications of communication knowledge in society.

Media Contact: Marjorie Musick, (Office) 703-993-8781 (Cell) 571-217-2915, mmusick@gmu.edu

ETHICS — ETHICAL QUESTIONS THAT ARISE DURING OUTBREAKS

Lisa Eckenwiler
Director of Health Care Ethics in the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics and Associate Professor of Philosophy
Expertise: Bioethics, Health Policy Ethics, Public Health Ethics, and Research Ethics

Eckenwiler teaches courses in bioethics, ethics in health policy, ethics and public health, and research ethics. She can discuss the ethical questions that arise when dealing with pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks. Eckenwiler has published widely on research ethics, and also has written on access to AIDS care, policy for pregnant addicts, and the ethical implications of work in biodefense and emergency preparedness. Her book, The Ethics of Bioethics: Mapping the Moral Landscape (co edited with Felicia Cohn), was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2007. Currently she is writing a book on justice and caregiving in the context of globalization (forthcoming, Johns Hopkins University Press).

Media Contact: Marjorie Musick, (Office) 703-993-8781 (Cell) 571-217-2915, mmusick@gmu.edu

ADMINISTRATION — NATIONAL FLU POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSE SYSTEMS

PJ Maddox
Professor and Chair in the College of Health and Human Services’ Department of Health Administration and Policy
Expertise: Health Administration and Policy, Nursing, Health Management, Workforce Planning

Maddox is a nurse with a distinguished career in health services research and hospital management. As chair of the Department of Health Administration and Policy, she can discuss the administrative aspects of dealing with infectious diseases and pandemics, and can address the national pandemic flu policy/systems response expectations. She has authored numerous textbook chapters, articles and papers on policy, technology and ethics in health management, applied health services research and health services workforce shortages. Prior to joining Mason, Maddox served as deputy director for nursing and service chief at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. She is a member of the Governing Council of the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association.

Media Contact: Marjorie Musick, (Office) 703-993-8781 (Cell) 571-217-2915, mmusick@gmu.edu

TRAVEL AND TOURISM — EFFECTS OF HEALTH CRISES

Maggie Daniels
Associate Professor of Tourism and Events Management
Expertise: Tourism Planning and Policy, Local Economic Development, Economic Impact Analysis

Daniels has conducted extensive research and fieldwork in the areas of event management, wedding planning, tourism policy and destination promotion as pertaining to local economic development. She partners with agencies in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to assist them with event and tourism implementation and evaluation. Daniels is a prolific researcher and has a combination of more than fifty published papers, book chapters, professional presentations and technical reports to her credit. She is currently working on a series of collaborative studies with the National Park Service regarding the National Mall and Memorial Parks Management Plan.

When asked about the possible effects of swine flu on tourism Daniels said, “I think this has the chance to be devastating, and I liken it to the SARS epidemic of 2003. Travelers do not need another excuse to stay at home, and the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries just put out a notice today about the rate of decline, which is the worst since post 9-11. Adding a medical crisis on top of the current global financial debacle will result in huge export losses for businesses reliant on business and personal travel.”

Media Contact: Jennifer Edgerly, 703-993-8699, jedgerly@gmu.edu

About George Mason University
Named the #1 national university to watch by U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s technology corridor near Washington, D.C., Mason prepares its students to succeed in the work force and meet the needs of the region and the world. With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, dance, organizational psychology and health care, Mason students are routinely recognized with national and international scholarships. Mason professors conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer, climate change, information technology and the biosciences, and Mason’s Center for the Arts brings world-renowned artists, musicians and actors to its stage.

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