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James Tielsch

jtielsch

James M. Tielsch, Ph.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Global Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. Prior to GWU, he served on the faculty in the Schools of Public Health and Medicine at Johns Hopkins for over 30 years.  He was originally trained in molecular biology at the University of Washington and then completed both Masters and doctoral training in epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University.  His current research focuses on the epidemiology and control of maternal and child health problems in low income countries and in ophthalmic epidemiology.  Current studies include:

  • A randomized trial of cookstove replacement for reduction in indoor air pollution and prevention of pneumonia and adverse reproductive outcomes in rural southern Nepal.

  • A randomized trial of maternal influenza immunization for prevention of influenza in mothers and infants and adverse pregnancy outcomes in rural southern Nepal.

  • A randomized trial of sunflower oil versus mustard oil for infant emollient massage for prevention of neonatal sepsis and mortality in rural southern Nepal.

  • Evaluation of digital recording of chest auscultation as a method for improving the specificity of community-based diagnosis of pneumonia in Nepal.

  • An evaluation of the role of uterotonic drugs in home deliveries in rural Nepal and their association with post-partum hemorrhage and adverse neonatal outcomes.

He has worked extensively in India, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malawi and Zanzibar. He has taught global health at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  He has published more than 300 papers in the peer-reviewed scientific literature and over 50 other papers, book chapters, and monographs.