Open AccessHarold Fred Dorn and the First National Cancer Survey (1937-1939): The Founding of Modern Cancer Epidemiology
Author(s) -
David E. Lilienfeld
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2007.117440
Subject(s) - epidemiology , context (archaeology) , observational study , epidemiology of cancer , cancer , gerontology , strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology , medicine , demography , history , sociology , pathology , breast cancer , archaeology
The development of modern epidemiology, particularly cancer epidemiology, is often seen as a post-World War II phenomenon. However, the First National Cancer Survey, conducted from 1937 to 1939 as part of the newly formed National Cancer Institute's initial activities, provided the first data on the occurrence of cancer in the United States. This project was directed by a young sociologist, Harold Fred Dorn. Through Dorn, many of the methodological innovations in sociology, such as the use of surveys and observational study designs, were incorporated into modern epidemiology. I examine Dorn's training and early career in the context of the First National Cancer Survey as a means of investigating the beginnings of modern epidemiology.