For over 50 years, the civilian physicians and scientists who have served
on the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB) have contributed to numerous,
significant advances in the prevention and control of diseases and injuries
among military men and women. The fruits of their labors have advanced
medical science and health for the entire nation.
The AFEB has its origins in the Board for the Investigation
and Control of Influenza and Other Epidemic Diseases in the Army. The
Board was conceived at the beginning of World War II and established formally
by the Secretary of
War on January 11, 1941. When the Board was founded its mission had the
following components: (1) to advise the Surgeon General on matters pertaining
to preventive medicine; (2) to be prepared to investigate through laboratory
and epidemiological study, outbreaks of infectious disease; and (3) to
conduct laboratory and other types of research on the pathogenesis, spread,
control, and prevention of diseases of concern to the Army.
In 1946 the Board became known as the Army Epidemiological
Board. The Board received its present designation, the AFEB, in 1949 and
was given triservice responsibilities in the field of preventive medicine.
In 1953, the AFEB
was chartered under the Department of Defense. Under its initial charters
the AFEB advised the Surgeons General and the Department of Defense, but
also conducted and directed specific research programs through its Commissions.
Subsequent to Congressional action sharply limited all
advisory committees within the Executive Branch, the AFEB was dissolved
on December 31, 1972 and recreated under a revised charter on January
3, 1973. The mission of
the AFEB was directed to scientific and technical advice and assistance;
the Board's responsibility for the conduct and oversight of field investigations
and contract research was eliminated.
The current charter assigns the AFEB the responsibility
to consider medical issues as they may relate to operations, policy, and
research and development, and include, but are not necessarily limited
to, preventive medicine, occupational and environmental health, and health
promotion programs. The AFEB prepares findings and makes recommendations
based on technological and epidemiological principles to the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and the Surgeons General of the
Military Services.
History of the Commissions and Subcommittees:
To carry out its mission the Board for the Investigation
and Control of Influenza and Other Epidemic Diseases in the Army initially
established commissions-highly specialized groups of civilian and military
physicians and other scientists. From 1941 to 1972, the number and names
of the Commissions changed, but they continued to address the full range
of infectious diseases of military importance. In 1972, the AFEB had Commissions
on: Acute Respiratory Diseases, Cutaneous Diseases, Enteric Infections,
Environmental Health, Epidemiological Survey, Immunization, Influenza,
Malaria, Parasitic Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases, Streptococcal and Staphylococcal
Diseases, and Viral Infections.
In 1973, the AFEB was reestablished with four subcommittees:
Communicable Disease Control, Health Maintenance, Environmental Quality,
and Physical Standards. The current subcommittees of the AFEB are Disease
Control, Occupational and Environmental Health, and Health Maintenance
and Promotion.
For more information on the history of the commission, click here.
For more information on the first 50 years of the AFEB, click here.
References:
Denny FW. Atypical pneumonia and the Armed Forces Epidemiological
Board. J Infect Dis 1981;143:305-316.
Woodward TE (ed). The Armed Forces Epidemiological Board.
Its First Fifty Years. Washington, DC: Borden Institute, Office of the
Surgeon General, Department of the Army; 1994.
Woodward TE (ed). The Armed Forces Epidemiological Board.
The Histories of the Commissions. Washington, DC: Center of Excellence
in Military Medical Research and Education, Office of the Surgeon General,
Department of the Army; 1990.
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