Davidson Hamer
Professor of Global Health at Boston University
Schools
- Boston University
Links
Biography
Boston University
Davidson Hamer, MD, FACP, FIDSA, is a Professor of Global Health and Medicine at the Boston University School of Public Health and School of Medicine, and Adjunct Professor of Nutrition at the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. He is also involved with BU’s Center for Global Health and Development. Dr. Hamer is a board-certified specialist in infectious diseases, with a particular interest in tropical infectious diseases, and has twenty years of field experience in neonatal and child survival research including studies of micronutrient interventions, maternal and neonatal health, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases. During the last 15+ years, he has supervised and provided technical support to more than 50 studies in developing countries that evaluated interventions for improving neonatal survival, treatment and prevention of malaria, HIV/AIDS, micronutrient deficiencies, diarrheal disease, and pneumonia. He currently has active projects in Zambia, Tanzania, and Ecuador. Major current projects include a large neonatal survival study, community-based interventions to reduce neonatal and under-5 child morbidity from common diseases, the role of specific micronutrients in reducing the burden of disease due to malaria in pregnancy, and an evaluation of the association of vitamin D deficiency with pneumonia in Ecuadorian children. Dr. Hamer received a MD from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a BA in biology and French from Amherst College. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. His expertise varies and includes:
• Evaluations of community-based interventions to reduce neonatal and infant mortality in developing countries.
• Evaluations of strategies to strengthen health systems at the community and primary care level in order to reduce morbidity and mortality of children from common infectious diseases (malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea).
• Interventions to prevent or treat malnutrition or specific micronutrient deficiencies including evaluations of the effects of micronutrients, especially zinc, vitamin A, iron, and selenium on the incidence of common infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, diarrheal disease, and acute respiratory infections) in pre-school children.
• Micronutrient interventions to prevent infections in the elderly.
• Epidemiology and treatment of malaria and pneumonia in pre-school children.
• Epidemiology of malaria in pregnancy and evaluation of interventions designed to decrease maternal morbidity and improve birth outcomes.
• Evaluations of the interaction between HIV infection and malaria.
• Interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor settings.
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Cases
Global standards for Zika testing needed, doctors say
November 22, 2016
Reuters Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health Although the mosquito-born Zika virus often results in mild flu-like symptoms, serious birth defects linked to the illness may still justify travel advisories and require global testing standards, a new study suggests… Expert quote: “While the epidemic has slowed down in the Americas, there remains a threat of […]
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I broke my nose on vacation in Costa Rica. Here’s what I wish I had known
September 16, 2016
Washington Post Davisdon Hamer, School of Public Health One morning during a family trip to Costa Rica last winter, I paddled out to catch some waves while my 8-year-old took a surfing lesson close to shore… Expert quote: “It’s relatively rare for a real catastrophe to happen that requires evacuation.” View full article
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People should be cautious travelling to Florida, doctor says
August 2, 2016
WCVB Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health With the report of the Zika virus in Florida, experts are asking people to be cautious with their travel plans… View video of expert Davidson Hamer
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What Should Vacationers Pack In Their Travel Medical Kit?
June 18, 2016
NPR “Goats & Soda Blog” Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health It’s a scary world of diseases out there, even for a vacationer… Expert quote: “A key thing is whether an area has malaria. If the risk is moderate to high, an anti-malarial is essential.” View full article
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Sexual Transmission Is Just the Latest Zika Surprise
February 3, 2016
National Geographic Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health Information about the Zika virus now “spreading explosively” through the Americas seems to be changing every day—and little of it is comforting… Expert quote: “I think this means we need to counsel travelers to have safe protected sex. Until we know more about how long the risk […]
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WHO Declares Emergency Over Microcephaly — Condition Possibly Linked To Zika Virus
February 1, 2016
WBUR “Radio Boston” Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health Listen to audio of expert Davidson Hamer
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Mosquitoes Will Spread Zika To The Americas, World Health Organization Says
January 25, 2016
BuzzFeed Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health A tropical virus linked to an epidemic of birth defects in Brazil will likely spread to every country in North and South America, except for Canada and Chile, according to the World Health Organization… Expert quote: “There has been a near daily drumbeat of infections reported and unexpected health […]
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Do You Need a Vaccination for Your Next Trip?
January 22, 2016
U.S. News & World Report Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health Chances are, after reading about high-profile health scares following a measles outbreak at Disneyland in California last January or the latest travel advisory for the Zika virus in Mexico, travel-related health concerns have crossed your mind… View full article quoting expert Davidson Hamer
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Does focus on Ebola miss other deadly diseases?
June 9, 2015
Futurity News Davidson Hamer, School of Public Health Clinicians looking for Ebola among sick travelers coming from West African countries may miss more common deadly illnesses, especially malaria, which requires quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment… View full article referencing expert Davidson Hamer
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Professor Voices – What you should know about the Chikungunya Virus
February 12, 2015
With school vacations approaching and spring break close behind, it’s no wonder that people in the Northeast are heading to Florida, the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America for some much needed relief from the snow and arctic temperatures. But they may be surprised by what they could encounter in these southern locations […]
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