History of Public Health at Harvard

The following list represents the archival holdings relating to specific departments or offices at the Harvard Chan School, both current and historic. Additional records relating to the School may be discoverable through faculty collections. Unless otherwise stated, all collections below are unprocessed and available in print, only. To arrange for access, submit a request to the reference team at the Center for the History of Medicine. Please contact the Harvard Chan School Archivist with questions relating to accessing these resources.

• Departments
• Executive & Administrative Offices
• Divisions, Centers, Institutes & Programs
• Committees
• Research Studies

This list was last edited on June 13, 2023

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Harvard School of Public Health (general)

• Records of the Harvard School of Public Health, 1913-1976 (bulk) -- E 72
• Curran, Jean Alonzo (1893-1977) papers, 1860s, 1870-1976, 1995; H MS c164, 19 cubic feet, Processed

See also: Jarcho, Irma S. (1918-); Class notes, 1944-1945 (H MS c333) .30 cubic feet, Processed

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 Arranged alphabetically. Includes both historic and current department names. If a department is not listed below, the Center for the History of Medicine does not have archival records for them. Contact our reference team with questions, or to schedule an appointment.

For a complete list of all departments at the Harvard T.H. Chan School from 1913 - present, please visit Harvard Chan History: All Departments (current and historical).

Department of Biostatistics

• Administrative Records, 1981-2009 (inclusive)

• Committee Records, 1996-2009 (inclusive)
• Course Records, 1998-2009 (inclusive)

• Departmental Meetings Records, 1999-2003 (inclusive)
• Executive Correspondence, 1923-1943
• Faculty meeting records, 1977-2010 (inclusive)
• Faculty Search and Appointment Records, 1996-2009 (inclusive)
• Gift and donation records, 1977-1999 (inclusive)
• Records, 1981-2009 (inclusive), 1999-2003 (bulk), Collection is processed; finding aid is available
• Special event records, 2015-2023 (inclusive) [archived websites]
• Sponsored project administration records, 1978-2001 (inclusive)

See also: Stephen W. Lagakos papers, 1979-2010 (inclusive), 1995-2009 (bulk), Marvin Zelen Papers, 1949-2010 (inclusive), Nan M. Laird papers 1980-2015 (bulk); Jonathan Harr papers, 1982-1995 (inclusive)

See also: Lagakos Papers, Dept. of Biostatstics Records Open to Research (archived blog post)

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Departmental Histories: Biostatistics.

 

Department of Child Hygiene (historic name)

• Collected papers, 1922-1953, one volume, 1.Mhl.1922.3

See also: Department of Social and Behavioral Science (current name), Department of Maternal and Child Health (historic name), Department of Social and Behavioral Medicine (historic name), Department of Health and Social Behavior (historic name), Department of Society, Human Development, and Health (historic name)

 

Department of Environmental Health

• Audio visual materials,1960-1998 (inclusive)
• Committee records, 2007-2014 (inclusive) 
• Course records, 1961-2009 (inclusive)
• Executive administrative files, 1939-2018 (inclusive)
• Faculty personnel records, 1970-2015 (inclusive)
• Faculty interests and plans records, 2023 [archived website]
• Graduate student records, 2001-2016 (inclusive) 
• Photographs, 1910-2004 (inclusive)
• Program establishment, management, and review records, 1970-2020 (inclusive) 
• Publications, 1921-1984 (inclusive)
• Sponsored project administration records, 1967-2010 (inclusive)
• Special event records, 1973-2011 (inclusive)
• Subject resource files, 1980-2000 (inclusive)
• University publications, 2021-2024 (inclusive) [archived websites]

See also: Douglas W. Dockery papers, 1974-2013 (inclusive); Joseph D. Brain papers, 1907-2020 (inclusive), Joyce E. Monac photographs of the Department of Environmental Health, circa 1975, Melvin W. First papers, 1932-2010 (bulk), Jeffrey J. Fredberg papers, 1960-2009 (inclusive), Dick Krown papers relating to the Asthma Warriors comic book, 1990-1995 (inclusive), Department of Physiology (historic name),

 

Department of Epidemiology

• Course records, 2014-2023 (inclusive) [archived website] 
• Faculty interests and plans records, 2006-2021 (inclusive) 
• Special event records, 1930-2023 (inclusive)

See also: George R. Seage, III papers, 1980-2020 (inclusive)

 

Department of Global Health and Population

• Conference, Workshop, and Seminar Sponsor Records, 2019-2023 (inclusive)
• Course records, 1986-2017 (inclusive) [archived websites]
• Faculty interests and plans records, 1961-2023 (inclusive) [archived websites] 
• Sponsored project administration records, 2022 (inclusive) [archived website]
• University publications, 2019-2023 (inclusive) [archived websites]
• Working Paper series. 1991-1995

See also: Daniel Wikler papers, 1974-2009 (inclusive), Richard A. Cash papers, 1963-2009 (inclusive), Peter A. Berman papers, 1973-2012 (inclusive), Thomas J. Bossert papers, 1973-2019 (inclusive), Stephen P. Marks papers, 1973-2021 (inclusive), Department of Population and International Health (historic name)

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Department Histories: Global Health and Population.

 

Department of Health Policy and Management

• Faculty personnel records, 2003-2011 (inclusive)

See also: Nancy M. Kane papers, 1970-2018 (inclusive), Lucian L. Leape papers, 1988-2016 (inclusive), Katherine Swartz collection on universal health care, 1967-2012 (inclusive), Papers of Frederick Mosteller, 1946-1988 (inclusive)

 

Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases

• Course records, 1986-1997 (inclusive)
• Special event records, 2001-2003 (inclusive)

See also: Myron Essex papers, 1949-2021 (inclusive) 1965-1996 (bulk), Richard G. Marlink papers, 1978-2011 (inclusive), Department of Tropical Health (historic name)

 

Department of Information Technology

• Executive administrative files 1970-2018 (inclusive)

See also: Center Acquires Records on the History of Computing at Harvard Chan (archived blog post)

 

Department of Maternal and Child Health (historic name)

• Executive administrative files, 1987-1998 (inclusive)

See also: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (current name), Department of Health and Social Behavior (historic name), Department of Child Hygiene (historic name), Department of Society, Human Development, and Health (historic name), Steven Lawrence Gortmaker papers, 1955-1998 (inclusive), 1977-1997 (bulk), Marie C. McCormick papers, 1956-2019 (inclusive) 1968-2009 (bulk), Sol Levine Papers, 1954-1997, Rima E. Rudd papers, 1974-2008 (inclusive).

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Department Histories: Social and Behavioral Sciences. 

 

Department of Molecular Metabolism

• Faculty interests and plans records, 2006-2021 (inclusive),  

See also: Marianne Wessling-Resnick papers, 1949-2018 (inclusive); Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases (historic name)

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Departmental Histories: Molecular Metabolism.

 

Department of Nutrition

• Course records, 2023 (inclusive) [archived websites]
• Program establishment, management, and review records, 1984-1998 (inclusive)
• University publications, 1943-1990 (inclusive)

See also: Fredrick J. Stare papers, 1912-2002 (inclusive), 1950-1999 (bulk), Robert P. Geyer papers, 1940-1990 (bulk), Jean Mayer papers, 1953-1975 (inclusive), 1965-1973 (bulk), Walter Willett papers, 1968-2009 (inclusive), D. Mark Hegsted papers, 1952-1999 (inclusive), 1960-1978 (bulk),  Harvard's Department of Nutrition, 1942-86, Nurses Health Study, Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

 

Department of Population and International Health (historic name)

• Data for Decision Making Project publications, 1993-1997

See also: Department of Global Health and Population (current name)

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Department Histories: Global Health and Population.

 

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Conference, workshop, and seminar sponsor records, 2015-2022 (inclusive) [archived websites] - cataloging in progress
• Executive administrative files, 1990-2016 (inclusive)
• Graduate student records, 1985-2006 (inclusive)
• Memorabilia 1950-1977 (inclusive)
• Procedure records, 2000 (inclusive)
• Sponsored project administration records, 1932-2000 (inclusive)
• Subject resource files, 1950-1970 (inclusive)
• University publications, 1989-2010 (inclusive) + archived websites (cataloging forthcoming)

See also: Steven Lawrence Gortmaker papers, 1955-1998 (inclusive), 1977-1997 (bulk), Marie C. McCormick papers, 1956-2019 (inclusive) 1968-2009 (bulk), Glorian Sorensen papers, 1986-2021 (inclusive), Sol Levine Papers, 1954-1997, Rima E. Rudd papers, 1974-2008 (inclusive), Department of Maternal and Child Health (historic name), Department of Health and Social Behavior (historic name), Department of Child Hygiene (historic name), Department of Society, Human Development, and Health (historic name)

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Department Histories: Social and Behavioral Sciences. 

 

Department of Society, Human Development, and Health (historic name)

• College Alcohol Study Program Records, 1993-1995

See Also: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (current name), Department of Health and Social Behavior (historic name), Department of Child Hygiene (historic name), Department of Society, Human Development, and Health (historic name), Department of Maternal and Child Health (historic name).

For a complete list of historical department names and chairs, please see Department Histories: Social and Behavioral Sciences. 

 

Department of Tropical Public Health (historic name)

• Executive administrative records, 1945-1981 (inclusive)
• Films, 1940-1970 (inclusive)
• Photographs, 1966 (bulk)
• Subject resource files, 1926-1986 (inclusive)

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 Arranged alphabetically. Includes both historic and current office names. If an office is not listed below, the Center for the History of Medicine does not have archival records for them. Contact our reference team with questions, or to schedule an appointment

Administrative Board

• Departmental reprints, 1957-1962
• Meeting records, 1913-1997
• Minutes of the Administrative Board of the School of Public Health (originally the School for Health Officers) of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: typescript, 1913 July 30-1923 May 29

 

Admissions Office

• Program establishment, management and review records, 1937-2007 (inclusive)
• University Publications, 2023 (inclusive) [archived website]
• Waived admissions recommendations, 1995-2007

 

Faculty Council

• Meeting records, 1971-1999

 

Faculty of Public Health

• Meeting records, 1922-2013

 

Information Technology, Department of

• Executive administrative files 1970-2018 (inclusive)

See also: Center Acquires Records on the History of Computing at Harvard Chan (archived blog post)

 

Office for Alumni Affairs and Career Advancement​

• Executive administrative files, 1954-2018 (inclusive)

 

Office of Development and Alumni Relations

• University Publications, 2023 (inclusive) [archived website]

See also: Office of External Relations (historic name), Office of Resource Development (historic name)

 

Office of External Relations (Historic)

• Donor Records, 1924-2011 (inclusive)
• Donor prospect records, 1965-1984 (inclusive)
• Fund development records, 1971-2019 (inclusive)
• Fundraising Program Administration Files, 1994-2009 (inclusive)
• Gift and donation records, 1957-2008 (inclusive)
• Memorabilia, 2004-2014 (inclusive)
• Public relations records, 2005-2012 (inclusive)
• Publication Visual Resource Records, 1921-2018 (inclusive)
• Records, 1959-2007 (inclusive)
• Scholarships, fellowships, and awards summary records, 1998-2012 (inclusive)
• University publications, 1950-2016 (inclusive)

See also: Office for Development and Alumni Relations (current name), Office for Resource Development (historic name), Center Acquires Midcentury Funding Appeals to Arab Countries (archived blog post).

 

Office for Professional Education

• Accreditation records, 1976-2004
• Graduate student records, 1992-2001
• Master of Public Health (MPH) Program development records, 1977-1978
• Master of Public Health (MPH) Program Steering Committee records, 1976-1999
• Visiting Committee records, 1990-1998

 

Office for Resource Development (Historic)

• Annual gift report, 1998, HOLLIS RECORD UNAVAILABLE--contact Archives to request access
• University publications, 2000-2012 (inclusive)

See also: Office of Development and Alumni Relations (current name), Office for External Relations (historic name). 

 

Office for Student Affairs

• Fundraising Program Administration Records, 1937-1976
• Special event records, 1992-2000
• University Publications, 1954-2005

 

Office of Academic Affairs

• Curriculum development and review records, 1978-1982 (inclusive)
• Executive administration files, 1913-1970, HOLLIS RECORD UNAVAILABLE--contact Archives to request access
• Executive administration files, 1969-1972
• Faculty mailings, 1985-2006 (inclusive)
• Faculty records, 1934-2002, HOLLIS RECORD UNAVAILABLE--contact Archives to request access

See also: Office of Faculty Affairs (current name)

 

Office of Communications

• Public relations records, 2020-2022 (inclusive) [includes archived websites]

 

Office of Educational Programs

• Accreditation records, 1976-2024 (inclusive)
• Program establishment, management and review records, 1998-2002 (inclusive)
• University publications, 2013-2023 (inclusive) [archived websites] 
• Visiting committee records, 1990-2007 (inclusive)

Note: Prior to 2014, this office was known as the "Office for Educational Programs". From 2014-2022, it was the "Office of Education". In 2023 it returned to the name "Office of Educational Programs". As the functions of the office have not changed, the records have been kept together under the current name. 

 

Office of Financial Services and Administration

• Committee Records, 2011-2016 (inclusive)

 

Office of Faculty Affairs

• Executive correspondence, 2006-2009
• Faculty promotion and review records, 1942-2008 (inclusive)
• University publications, 1947-2003

See also: Office of Academic Affairs (historic name), Faculty of Public Health

 

Office of Human Research Administration

• Records, 1998-2010 (inclusive)

See also: Office of Regulatory Affairs and Research Compliance (current name)

 

Office of the Dean

• Conference, seminar, and special event records, 1997-2023 (inclusive) [includes archived website]
• Chronological correspondence, 2009-2016 (inclusive)
• Departmental reports, 1956-1958
• Executive administrative records, 1968-2022 (inclusive)
• Meeting records, 1984-1986 (inclusive)
• Memorabilia, 2011 (inclusive)
• Photographs, 1913-1956 (inclusive)
• Records of Dean Cecil Kent Drinker, 1916-1948 (inclusive)
• Records of Deans James H. Ware and Barry R. Bloom, 1998-2006 (inclusive)
• Records of the Office of the Dean
  • 1961-1985 (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid is available
  • 1920-2004 (inclusive)
• Self Study reports of the Harvard School of Public Health, 1994-2001 (inclusive)
• Standing committee records, 1994-2009 (incusive)
• Special event records of the Office of the Dean, 1975-1990 (inclusive)
• Speech records, 2008-2023 (inclusive)
• Symposium records, 2001-2004 (inclusive)
• University publications, 2020-2023 (inclusive) [archived websites]

See also: Record Collections of Harvard Chan Deans (research guide)

 

Operations Office

• Photographs, 1919-1995 (inclusive)
• Construction project planning and proposal records, circa 1990

 

Registrar's Office

• Course registers and catalogs, 1913-2010 (Digital access available)
• Dissertations, 1999-2008, Series 00091, HOLLIS RECORD UNAVAILABLE--contact Archives to request access
• Executive Administrative Files, 1913-1992 (inclusive)
• Graduate student records, 1922-2011
• Official course and grade records, 1940-2005 (inclusive)
• Digitized copies of 1913 HSPH catalogs (the first two HSPH catalogs issued)

 

Student Theses

• Collection of theses from the Harvard School of Public Health

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Arranged alphabetically. Includes both historic and current names. If a division, center, institute, or program is not listed below, the Center for the History of Medicine likely does not have archival records for them. Contact our reference team with questions, or to schedule an appointment.

Center for Health Communication

• Executive administrative files, 1980-2020 (inclusive). 
• External program relations records, 1986-2010 (inclusive). 
• Subject resource files, 1977-1999 (inclusive). 
• University publications, 2014-2023 (inclusive) [archived website]

See also: History of the Center for Health Communication at Harvard Chan (LibGuide)

 

Center for the Analysis of Health Practice

• Publications, 1976-1978

 

Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development

• The Forum, 2010-2023 (inclusive) [archived website]
• University publications, 2021 (inclusive)  [archived website]
• Voices, 2014-2023 (inclusive) [archived website] - cataloging forthcoming

 

Division of Public Health Practice

• Executive administrative files, 1979-2009 (inclusive)
• Office of Government and Community Programs, 1978-2011 (inclusive)
• Sponsored project administrative records, 2002-2009 (inclusive)

See also: Deborah Prothrow-Stith papers, 1983-2009 (inclusive); Oral history interview with Bruce Smith (watch video online)

 

François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights​

• Academic book and journal publication records , 1990-1999 (inclusive)
• Colloquia, seminar, and lecture series records, 2003-2008 (inclusive)
• Course records, 1990-1999 (inclusive)
• Executive administrative files , 1989-2010 (inclusive)
• External program relations records, 1990-1999 (inclusive)
• Program establishment, management and review records, 1990-1999 (inclusive)
• Special event records, 1993-2022 (inclusive)
• Sponsored project administration records, 2000-2013 (inclusive)
• Subject resource files, 1994-2001 (inclusive)
• University publications, 1994-2003 (inclusive)

See also: Jennifer Leaning papers, 1946-2019 (inclusive), Stephen P. Marks papers, 1973-2021 (inclusive), Jonathan M. Mann papers, 1971-1998 (inclusive) 

 

 

Harvard AIDS Institute (historic) / Harvard AIDS Initiative 

• Committee records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Conference, workshop, and seminar sponsor records, 1982-2005 (inclusive)
• Donor records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Executive administrative files,1983-2012 (inclusive)
• External program relations records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Fund development records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Intra-institutional relations records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Records, 1989-2001 (inclusive)
• Scholarship, fellows, and award recipient records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Special event records, 1987-1999 (inclusive)
• Sponsored project administration records, 1982-2017 (inclusive)
• Project records, 1980-2015 (inclusive)
• Public relations records, 1987-2000 (inclusive) [archived website] 
• University publications, 2023 (inclusive) [archived website] 

See also: Myron Essex papers, 1949-2021 (inclusive) 1965-1996 (bulk), Richard G. Marlink papers, 1978-2011 (inclusive), Howard H. Hiatt papers, 1940-2014 (inclusive), 1975-2001 (bulk), William A. Haseltine papers, circa 1944-2008 (inclusive), 1962-2008 (bulk), Department of Global Health

Note that in In 2004, the Harvard AIDS Institute changed its name to the Harvard AIDS Initiative to better reflect the base of activity at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention

• Program establishment, management and review records, 1995-2004 (inclusive) [archived websites] - cataloging in process

 

Harvard Prevention Research Center

• Planet Health Records, 1992-1997 (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid available
• Play Across Boston Records, 2000-2003 (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid available

See also: Steven Lawrence Gortmaker papers, 1955-1998 (inclusive), 1977-1997 (bulk)

 

India Research Center

• University publications, 2021 (inclusive) 

 

International Health Systems Program

• Department of Global Health and Population course records, 1986-2017 (inclusive)

See also: Thomas J. Bossert papers, 1973-2019 (inclusive),

 

Masters of Public Health Program

• Case studies, 1989-1998 (inclusive)

 

Maternal and Child Health Center of Excellence

• University publications, 2022 (inclusive) [archived website] -- cataloging in progress

 

Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program

• Executive administration files, 1914-1982 (inclusive)

 

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

• Conference and seminar records of the PEPFAR program, 2001-2010 (inclusive)

 

Program on International Health and Human Rights

• Academic Journal Publication Records, 1991-2005
• External Program Relations Records, 1995-2005
• University Publications, 1997-2006

 

Takemi Program in International Health

• Executive administrative files, 1970-2013 (inclusive)
• Fellowship records, 1984-2017 (inclusive)
• Research papers, 1985-1996 (inclusive)
• Special event records, 1984-2013 (inclusive)
• Sponsored project administration records, 1988-2006 (inclusive)
• Visiting scholar records, 1983-2005 (inclusive)

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 Arranged alphabetically. Includes both historic and current names. If a committee is not listed below, contact our reference team who may know of another collection that should be consulted. Please also contact our team to schedule an appointment.

Advisory Committee on Planning

• Records, 1971-1979

 

Affirmative Action Committee

• Committee records, 1972-1988

 

Centennial Committee

• Committee records 2012-2014 (inclusive)
• University publications, 2019-2023 (inclusive) [archived website]

 

Committee on Educational Policy

• Committee records, 1955-1997 (gaps)
• Course evaluation records, 1983-1998

 

EcoOpportunities

•  Executive administrative records, 2009-2016 (inclusive)

 

Standing Committee on Appointments, Reappointments, and Promotions

• Background files, 1972-1999
• Faculty promotion and review records, 1973-1987
• Faculty search records, 1977-1994
• Faculty Personnel Records, 2002-2005 (inclusive)
• Meeting records, 1975-2007 (inclusive)

 

Visiting Committee

• Standing Committee records, 1965-2005

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  Arranged alphabetically. Includes both historic and current names. If a research study is not listed below, contact our reference team who may know of other collections that should be consulted. Please also contact our team to schedule an appointment.

Department of Society, Human Development, and Health

• College Alcohol Study Program Records, 1993-1995

See Also: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (current name), Department of Health and Social Behavior (historic name), Department of Child Hygiene (historic name), Department of Society, Human Development, and Health (historic name), Department of Maternal and Child Health (historic name).

 

Harvard Prevention Research Center

• Planet Health Records, 1992-1997 (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid available
• Play Across Boston Records, 2000-2003 (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid available

See also: Steven Lawrence Gortmaker papers, 1955-1998 (inclusive), 1977-1997 (bulk); Harvard Prevention Research Center and Steven L. Gortmaker Collections Open to Research (archived blog post)

 

Harvard Six Cities Study

• Sponsored project administration records, 1954-1999 (inclusive)
• Program establishment, management and review records, 1979-1992 (inclusive)
• Project records, 2019 (inclusive) -- (note: oral history project)
• Records, 1975-2000 (bulk 1980s)

See also: Douglas W. Dockery papers, 1974-2013 (inclusive)

 

Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development

• Conference and Meeting Records, 1954-1966, undated (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid is available
• Data and Administrative Records, 1923-1989, undated (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid is available
• Data Use Policy Records and Correspondence, 1963-1989 (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid is available
• Manuscript Drafts and Publications, 1918-2000, undated (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid is available
• Records, 1918-2015 (inclusive), 1930-1989 (bulk) Collection is processed; finding aid is available
• Research and Resource Files, 1931-1986, undated (inclusive) Collection is processed; finding aid is available

See also: Records of the Harvard School of Public Health Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development Now Open to Research (archived blog post); Staff Finds: Teaching Charts from the HSPH Growth Study (archived blog post); Staff Finds: Growth and Development Charts (archived blog post); Staff Finds: Family Physical Characteristics Trees (archived blog post); Staff Finds: Child Nutrition Brochures and Pamphlets (archived blog post); Processing of the Harvard School of Public Health Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development Records (archived blog post)

 

Nurses Health Study

• Sponsored project administration records, 1993-2008 (inclusive)

See also: Department of Nutrition, Walter Willett papers, 1968-2009 (inclusive), Frank E. Speizer Papers, 1980-2005

 

Other collections: 

• Christiani, David C.; papers, 1994-2004 (inclusive); H MS c582, 1 c.f., unprocessed (contact Public Services)
  • Records include a sample of questionnaires from the Arsenic and Human Health in Bangladesh and Lung Cancer studies.

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