Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, New York City's commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, is the winner of APHA's 2008 Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize for Creative Local Public Health Work.

The annual award recognizes a health professional who has demonstrated exceptionally

Frieden has served as New York City's health commissioner since January 2002, overseeing a $1.6 billion budget and more than 6,000 staff members. He has spearheaded tobacco control programs in the city, including a move to prohibit smoking in any restaurant or eating establishment. The city now has an estimated 200,000 fewer smokers than in 2002, which will translate into the prevention of 60,000 premature deaths.

Frieden is also leading a comprehensive effort to make the city a national and global model in halting the HIV epidemic. His other priorities include improving mental health diagnosis and treatment as well as the quality of programs that serve people with mental illness.

"His support for homeland security and other public health issues is constantly visible, and the entire community feels that the city cares about the health of every member," said colleague Bridget Simone, a member of APHA's Medical Care Section, in a nomination letter.

Frieden leads the city's efforts to address new and emerging disease threats, including those posed by terrorism. Other health department priorities under Frieden's guidance include reducing infant mortality, improving cancer screening and ensuring residents are treated effectively for hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

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A leading tuberculosis control expert, Frieden was appointed the city's health commissioner after working in India for five years, where he assisted with national TB control efforts. During his time as director of New York City's Bureau of Tuberculosis Control and assistant commissioner from 1992-1996, the city reduced cases of multi-drug-resistant TB by 80 percent.