C. Everett Koop, former surgeon general, dies at 96

2/25/2013

3 Comments

 
Former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, died at 96 years old. He was the most visible Surgeon General 20th-century. He was appointed by Pres. Ronald Reagan 1980. He is best known for bringing the AIDS epidemic to the forefront of American awareness. At a time when no one was confronting the issue, he was very clear and explicit in Telling the American people of its existence and dangers. 
He also led the fight against tobacco smoking. He claimed that 30% of all cancer deaths could be directly attributed to tobacco. He was also the first to warn of the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke. 
He was a retired pediatrician when Pres. Reagan appointed him. He was not an expert in public health, but he had a lot of common sense and became known as "America's Doctor."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/c-everett-koop-former-surgeon-general-dies-at-96/2013/02/25/be6cc52e-c5da-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html?wpmk=MK0000200
3 Comments
Katie Hill
3/3/2013 02:12:14 am

This is so sad and I had no idea he lead the fight against tobacco smoking and brought the AIDS epidemic to the American people's attention. He has been in the medical field for decades and has made so many important discoveries that has changed the way people live their lives. I think that he has also inspired a lot of other doctors to be more vocal about issues that they are concerned about.

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Matthew Nickles
3/4/2013 12:00:16 am

I think this is important because during World War II, the campaign against the dangers of tabacco products were only being implemented in Nazi Germany. The U.S. as a culture smoked cigarretts on a regular basis and it was much more accepted than it is today. The dangers of cigarrett smoking were unknown at the time and it wasn't until after World War II that the U.S. decided to jump on the bandwagon in the campaign against tobacco products. I think it is important that we remember this man who severely contributed to this change.

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Gabriella Pittaluga
3/4/2013 12:06:56 am

Former Surgeon General Koop brought a lot of awareness to the negative effects of tobacco and AIDs. Surely, he will be remembered as an active Surgeon General and as a proactive one. Thanks to him, a lot of people are more aware of the dangerous effects of tobacco usage. I think that since he was in office for about 40 years, he did an amazing job in his position. I pay my respects to him and hope that the nation will preserve his memory

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