2001 News
World Water Day: 22 March 2001:
The John Snow Society moves to the Royal Institute of Public Health
Senior public health professionals and water specialists celebrated the move of the John Snow Society to its new home at the Royal Institute of Public Health at a special ceremony on Thursday. The ceremony formed part of an event to promote Water and Health - this year's theme for World Water Day and was supported by Thames Water.
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| Professor Paul Fine, (right), presents the John Snow Society pump handle to Dr Michael O'Brien |
The John Snow Society aims to promote the life and works of Dr John Snow, the anaesthetist and pioneer of epidemiological method, who famously had a water pump handle removed in Soho, London, where he identified the source of the cholera epidemic in 1854. This act that has become an enduring symbol of public health interventions.
To mark the Society's move to its new home at the Royal Institute, the ceremony began with Professor Paul Fine, Honorary Pump Handle President, presenting the John Snow Society water pump handle to Dr Michael O'Brien, Chairman of the Royal Institute. Dr Rosalind Stanwell-Smith, gave a short history of the 1854 cholera outbreak, and Dr Julian Dennis, of Thames Water spoke about the work of Thames Water and their long term support for the charity WaterAid. Sir Donald Acheson, President of the Royal Institute was presented with Honorary Membership of the John Snow Society.
Commenting on the event, Nichola Wilkins, Chief Executive of the Royal Institute said: "As a long standing, multidisciplinary, public health organisation, the Royal Institute has always been closely concerned with the public health aspects of water and we very much welcome this opportunity to extend our work in this area and to promote the work of Dr John Snow."
Notes to editors:
- The Royal Institute of Public Health is an independent organisation promoting public health and hygiene through education, training, information and quality testing. The Royal Institute plays an active role in developing public health strategy, working with Government departments and other key public health bodies.
- The John Snow Society was founded in 1993. It has over 800 members world wide, many of whom are eminent specialists in their fields. All share the common aim to promote knowledge of the life and work of Dr John Snow, anaesthetist and pioneer of epidemiological method.
- For information about the John Snow Society please contact Hannah Bourke at the Royal Institute of Public Health, 28 Portland Place, London W1B 1DE
Tel: 020 7291 8359;
Fax: 020 7580 6157;
Email: johnsnowsociety@riph.org.uk