The Fred L. Soper Award
for Excellence in Health Literature

“Only through a regional organization, with a trusted international staff, is it possible to develop a free interchange of information and harmonious action in attacking common problems… As satisfactory eradication techniques become available for the solution of an increasing number of problems, the importance of regional action must increase rather than diminish.” Fred L. Soper, MD DrPH, Remarks at the First World Health Assembly, 1948

Excellence in medical/public health research and in writing the research findings is among the most important factors in promoting health in the Americas. Current information on health situations, trends, diseases, treatment, and delivery systems are critical for use in planning, executing and evaluating policies and programs of public health.

The Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature, created in 1990, is one of five awards presented by the Pan American Health and Education Foundation through its Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program, a joint partnership between the Foundation and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

In recognizing significant contributions to the health literature in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Foundation established the Fred L. Soper Award to promote the highest standards of research, specifically research that emphasizes regional impact in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A distinguished jury of public health professionals reviews nominations, and recommends a candidate to the board of trustees of the Foundation for final selection.

The award is often presented at a ceremony organized by the PAHO/WHO representative in the winner's country often in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, universities, and other public health organizations. For the winning article, the principal investigator/primary author receives US$2,500 and a certificate of honor.

Dr. Soper served as the director of the Pan American Health Sanitary Bureau from 1947 to 1959. At the Second World Health Assembly in 1949, he fought to prevent the complete absorption of the Bureau into the World Health Organization (WHO). His suggestion that the Bureau become the WHO Regional Office for the Americas prevailed, thus establishing the modern era of PAHO. When first elected as director, Dr. Soper's staff consisted of a small group of workers from the United States and Puerto Rico housed in two small rooms. Their annual budget was $300,000. Their goal was to eradicate malaria, urban yellow fever, smallpox, and yaws. When he left office 12 years later, the budget was $8 million; the staff was large and multinational; and PAHO's programs were in every country in Latin America.

Upon receiving his doctor of public health degree from the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 1925, he directed the program that eradicated the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae from Brazil. In the 1940s, he accomplished the same in Egypt. He also worked against urban yellow fever in Brazil and other countries, and became the world authority on this deadly disease.

Dr. Soper sought and often found simple and practical solutions to public health problems, which he shared with other public health practitioners. Despite his full schedule, he found time to publish more than a hundred works in medical and public health journals throughout the world as well as several books, such as his book Building the Health Bridge (1970) that reflects his commitment to human solidarity.

Through 30 June 2005, the Foundation is accepting nominations for the Soper Award. Only articles published in scientific journals listed in the Index Medicus or in official PAHO journals are eligible for consideration. Preference is given to studies involving more than one discipline and to papers related to infectious disease, a life-long concern of Dr. Soper. Review papers are eligible if their conclusions deal directly with policy primarily affecting Latin America or the Caribbean.

The Award is limited to contributions by authors whose principal affiliation is with teaching, research or service institutions located in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

PAHO/WHO staff members in active service, sitting members of the Foundation's board of trustees, and members of the Fred L. Soper Award Jury are ineligible to receive the award.

To be considered, the nomination must be completed in its entirety.

To make a nomination, please submit and address to the Fred L. Soper Award Jury a letter of introduction (no longer than one page) on official letterhead, a clearly readable copy of the nominated article (the article will not be returned), proof that the article appeared in a journal and was cited in the 2004 Index Medicus, and a completed nomination form. The letter and completed nomination form must be signed and in English or Spanish. If the nomination package is submitted electronically, the letter and nomination form must have an electronic signature. Any unsigned documents will not be considered.

Submitted items other than the letter, completed and signed nomination form, proof article is in the Index Medicus, and nominated article will not be considered by the jury. Nominations must be received no later than 30 June 2005. Nominations received after this date will not be accepted.

Fred L. Soper Award Jury
Pan American Health and Education Foundation
525 Twenty-third Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-974-3416
Fax: 202-974-3636
e-mail: info@pahef.org

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