The University’s Role During Times of Controversy

By John R. Finnegan, Jr.
Dean and Professor
July 2, 2007

I’m sure many of you have been observing the controversy involving the Commissioner of Health and her handling of data involving the high rates of mesothelioma (a deadly form of lung cancer) among Minnesota’s iron mine workers. I had the opportunity to travel to the Iron Range town of Mountain Iron last week to testify before a joint committee of the Minnesota House and Senate. I was joined by SPH Associate Prof. Jeff Mandel.

The message we delivered (and which was shared by SPH Associate Prof. Ian Greaves a few days earlier at a similar hearing in St. Paul) is this: the University is a neutral party in this controversy and we have an important role to play in illuminating the science behind the politics. Our main concern as public health researchers is the health of the mine workers. To that end, we have proposed that faculty in our division of Environmental Health Sciences undertake a broad 3-5-year research project involving the mine workers to understand the level of exposure they face and its link to disease. University President Robert Bruininks has pledged seed money to launch the research and key legislators have made the commitment to seek funding during the next legislative session to complete the research.

It is important for us all to remember the decades-long relationship we have enjoyed with the Minnesota Department of Health. It has been a collegial, collaborative, fruitful partnership that has advanced the health of Minnesotans immeasurably. The Department is staffed with hundreds of talented professionals (many of whom are our graduates!). It would be a shame if their fine work is besmirched because of this controversy. If you have colleagues there and feel so inclined, take a moment to drop them a note or give them a call and thank them for being valued colleagues and committed public health professionals. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.