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WASHINGTON, DC (March 1, 2010) – Nominations are being accepted for the Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature now through June 30, 2010, 5:00 p.m. EST, at pahef.org/soper. This award is presented by the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to promote the highest standards in research that emphasizes regional impact in Latin America and the Caribbean. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of the award.

The Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature is limited to contributions by authors whose principal affiliation is with teaching, research, or service institutions in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Nominations of publications related to infectious diseases are particularly encouraged.

Articles published in scientific journals listed in 2009 in PubMed/MEDLINE or in official PAHO journals are eligible for consideration. Also, review papers are eligible if their conclusions deal directly with policy affecting Latin America and the Caribbean.

The award also aims to encourage dedication to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. The awardee receives a cash prize, certificate of merit, and a paid trip to Washington, DC, to receive the award at the annual PAHO/PAHEF Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Event and is recognized before the ministers of health of the region at the PAHO Directing Council Meeting.

The Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature is part of the Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program, a joint initiative of PAHEF and PAHO.

Nominations may be made in either Spanish or English.

Past winners of the Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature include Dr. Mauricio Barreto, whose article focused on the impact of sanitation on children's health in Salvador, Brazil, and Dr. Mario Rodríguez Pérez, whose research investigated the effective and fast monitoring of the transmission of the parasite causing onchocerciasis, or river blindness.

Dr. Fred L. Soper, an American, served as the director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau from 1947 to 1959. He also worked against urban yellow fever in Brazil and other countries and became a leading authority on this deadly disease.

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Founded in 1968, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) is a public 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to fostering public health programs in the Americas that address major health concerns. PAHEF improves the lives of people throughout the Americas by working with the public and private sectors as well as major public health research, policy, and development groups.

PAHEF enjoys a unique relationship with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.

The Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health (pahef.org/awards) stimulate the growth of the next and rising generation of leaders working to improve health and health care in the Americas. The Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program is a partnership between PAHEF and PAHO. A jury of distinguished public health professionals reviews nominations and recommends a candidate for each award to the board of trustees of the Foundation for final selection.

pahef.org

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