Education
Bernard Lown Fund for Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World
Recognizing the need for well-trained cardiovascular health workers in the developing world, Dr. Lown's goal has always been to bring clinicians, scientists, nurses, and other health professionals from developing countries to the Harvard School of Public Health to learn cardiovascular disease prevention and carry out research under outstanding professors. Dr. Lown's commitment to cardiovascular health in the developing world led to the establishment of the Bernard Lown Fund for Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World, which includes the Lown Visiting Professor Program and the Lown Scholars Program.
Participants in the Lown Scholars Program will receive training in many fields including: physiology, nutrition, epidemiology, environmental health, economics, and healthcare delivery. To compliment this training, the Lown Scholars will carry out CVD-related research that is relevant to, or located in, their home country.
The Visiting Lown Professor
In addition to being the first Visiting Lown Professor, Dr. K. Srinath Reddy is a tireless advocate for prevention and public health in the developing world while still remaining a clinician. He recently played a key role in the care of the Prime Minister of India as he underwent cardiac surgery. Dr. Reddy is the President of the Public Health Foundation of India, and has been involved in numerous large international studies on heart disease (including the INTERHEART and INTERSALT studies).
The Lown Scholars
The four initial Lown Scholars are from diverse backgrounds and are working on important CVD research projects.
Originally from Iran, Dr. Shadi Kalantarian is working on research that estimates the burden of CVD and its risk factors throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region. By studying the cost and benefits of different health interventions, Dr. Kalantarian's research will help policy-makers identify priorities for research, funding, and policy-making.
While working to complete his Doctor of Science in epidemiology, Dr. Martin Lajous is also the lead on the cardiovascular component of a large lifestyle and chronic disease research study in Mexico involving more than 100,000 teachers. As a Lown Scholar, he will be research the relationship between fish intake and atrial fibrillation, as well as the effect of cocoa on CVD.
A practicing diabetologist, Dr. Carlos Mendivil plans on returning to his native Columbia and research the impact of dietary and pharmacological interventions that attempt to prevent CVD. While a Lown Scholar, Dr. Mendivil will research the relationship between good cholesterol and the effects of cardiovascular medication.
Working with both urban and rural populations in Tanzania, Dr. Marina Njelekela has studied the impact of CVD on people living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Njelekela research on food consumption in people living in Dar es Salaam will help to develop nutritional strategies that work to prevent CVD and other non-communicable diseases.
For more information
For more information about the Lown Scholars Program or the Lown Visiting Professorship, please contact Dr. Joe Brain, brain@hsph.harvard.edu