Once thought to be a problem primarily in the developed world, cancer is now a leading cause of death and disability in poorer countries. A new paper published online in the Lancet on August 16 calls for the international community to approach cancer as a global health priority.

The paper is authored by Paul Farmer, chair of the HMS Department of Global Health and Social Medicine; Julio Frenk, dean of the HSPH Faculty; Felicia Knaul, director of the Harvard Global Equity Initiative (HGEI) and HMS associate professor of social medicine; and Lawrence Shulman, chief medical officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). Read more

HSPH has released its first-ever mobile application, available on both iPhone and Android devices. The app offers news, videos, podcasts, community features, an events calendar, and much more. Connect directly to your Facebook and Twitter accounts to share content or post comments and photos to the community message board within the app. To download, search for "HSPH" on the App Store or follow this link on your iPhone.

Two students in this summer's session of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI) had plenty of real world disaster experience to discuss: Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry was the Unified Area Commander of the Federal response to the spill until June 1 when she returned to her normal duties in New Orleans to prepare for hurricane season. Pat Santos, Louisiana's Deputy Director of Emergency Management, continues to be involved in Louisiana's response to the spill.

NPLI is a joint program of HSPH and the Harvard Kennedy School. Read more

Program alumni Deputy National Incident Commander Rear Admiral Pete Neffenger and Deputy FEMA Administrator Rich Serino also have been involved in cleanup operations in the Gulf. Read more

Manoj Duraisingh has been promoted to associate professor of immunology and infectious diseases

Did you know?

Recycle your trash, find a new treasure
The Habitat for Humanity Stuff Sale raises more than $80,000 each year for the charity. Harvard Recycling collects unwanted "stuff" from dorms and offices at the end of the school year -- about 200 tons or over 225 truckloads this June -- and resells it at the annual sale. Stop by and take home a treasure August 21-31 and September 4-5, 9 AM-5 PM, on the lawn outside the Science Center on the Cambridge campus.