Blumresearchproposal

Matthew Blum
10/21/14
P2
Research Proposal
Matthew Blum
Independent Research
2014-2015
Title:
Smallpox Eradication: The End of a Disease and the Beginning of a New Era in Public
Health
Overview of Research
A turning point in world health, the Smallpox Eradication Program demonstrated
leadership and international cooperation that left a significant legacy. The research seeks
to understand the historical context of the Smallpox Eradication Program and its legacies
in the areas of public health and bioterrorism.
Background and History of the Issue:
Debate existed for two centuries over how to eradicate smallpox; however, until the mid
20th century, no viable solution was available or imagined on a worldwide scale. Around
1950, the Russian Minister of Medicine urged the United Nations or League of Nations to
consider a worldwide eradication of smallpox. This came at a time when a similar effort
in the Americas was just getting off the ground.
Finally, by 1966, the World Health Organization initiated the global smallpox eradication
program led by Dr. Donald Henderson. The campaign encountered the greatest
challenges in war stricken Africa and in India where the programs officials went doorto-door vaccinating anyone. Although the World Health Organization reported the final
case of smallpox in Somalia in 1977, the disease was not declared eradicated until
December 9, 1979. The World Health Organization announced the success of the
eradication program to the public in 1980. Today, many of the successes of the program
are forgotten as a result of new communicable diseases, including the development of the
HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Problem Statement and Rationale:
The legacy of the smallpox eradication program serves as a milestone in public health
history; however, this accomplishment is undervalued because the current generation has
never encountered this disease. This program represented global cooperation and a true
accomplishment in public health. With the global concern over communicable diseases,
such as Ebola, spreading around the world, can the world exemplify the same
togetherness witnessed by the smallpox eradication program?
Research Methodology:
Research Question and Hypothesis:
What legacy did the smallpox eradication program have on disease surveillance
and vaccination techniques in society?
The smallpox eradication program enhanced disease surveillance, including
bioterrorism surveillance, and created new vaccination techniques that can be
applied to local communities today.
Basis of Hypothesis:
The hypothesis focuses primarily on the enhancement of disease surveillance and
vaccination techniques in the post-smallpox eradication program era. Based upon
the difficulty of navigation through developing countries, as well as war stricken
lands, the disease surveillance of the time was tested to its limits. Much of the
current knowledge around how to track a disease revolves around the efforts from
the smallpox eradication program. Also, mass vaccination techniques were
completely redrawn after the smallpox eradication program when it became
apparent that using ring vaccination techniques would be an effective use of
resources to contain disease and prevent further spreading.
Research Design:
This research study uses a historical design. The research will analyze qualitative
data obtained through interviews with historians with expertise in smallpox. In
addition, the research will examine data from primary source interviews of
individuals with first-hand knowledge of the smallpox eradication program or of
the disease surveillance field. The data will be triangulated with secondary source
and artifact data gathered through films, websites, academic journals, newspapers,
books, and photo collections. The research seeks to substantiate claims of
enhanced disease surveillance as one of the legacies of the smallpox eradication
program. The research seeks to highlight the accomplishments of the smallpox
eradication program, many of which have been forgotten.
Operational Definitions:
Smallpox Otherwise known as Variola, this long-lasting disease results in
pox on the skin with scars.
Disease Surveillance Disease surveillance consists of the monitoring of a
disease for containing, eradicating, or protecting.
Vaccination Vaccination is a method for creating immunity to a disease in
an individual by delivering a small dose of the disease into the body through a
needle and syringe.
Eradication Eradication is the state in which something is non-existent.
World Health Organization - Founded under the United Nations/League of
Nations, the World Health Organization promotes global health initiatives.
Bioterrorism Bioterrorism is the threat of using a biological substance to
create mass havoc or deaths.
Communicable A disease is considered communicable if it is able to be

transmitted from individual to individual.
Product Overview:
A National History Day Documentary will be created to convey the research as well as
explain potential future directions in international public health. The documentary will
span ten minutes in length and include the thoughts of numerous historians, professors
and primary sources related to the Smallpox Eradication Program or its legacy. The
documentary will be submitted to compete in the National History Day program and will
hopefully advance to the National Competition in early June. Along with the National
History Day competition, the Howard County Film Festival would be another potential
venue to showcase the documentary. It may also be possible to incorporate this
documentary into the Modern World History courses in Howard County. The intended
audience is mainly for health officials or international public health officials. This topic
is also appealing to students that may not be aware of smallpox eradication and its
significance. A PowerPoint presentation or a video presentation could be effective
means to convey the topic to the designated audience.
Logistical Considerations:
The project does include a wide range of costs that are manageable. Some of the known
expenses that are expected include metro fairs, gas, microphone, gift cards to thank
interviewees, parking fees, digitizing fees, and application fees. These fees will likely
occur through traveling to and from interviews, attempting to obtain videos, and applying
to National History Day.

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Communicable A disease is considered communicable if it is able to be

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