#USA #Atlanta #Fries Prize #Roger Glass #Marni Sommer

CDC Foundation Honors Champions of Public Health

On August 5, 2026, the CDC Foundation proudly announced the esteemed recipients of the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health and the Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award. These awards celebrate individuals who have made significant strides in enhancing public health and health education at a global scale.

James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health

This year's recipient of the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health is Dr. Roger Glass, an eminent physician-scientist and current president of the CMB Foundation. He previously served as the director of the Fogarty International Center at the NIH. Dr. Glass has been instrumental in revolutionizing global child health, particularly through his pivotal work on rotavirus, a primary cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide. His dedication has led to substantial decreases in childhood mortality.

Dr. Glass’s pioneering research established rotavirus as a leading agent responsible for the deaths of countless children annually, thus laying the groundwork for vaccine innovations. His founding of the Viral Gastroenteritis Unit at the CDC marked a significant expansion of rotavirus research and surveillance globally. Through collaboration with various partners, Dr. Glass has facilitated the development and distribution of affordable rotavirus vaccines, enhancing immunization efforts in regions that bear the highest disease burden. Ultimately, his work has allowed for the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in over 140 nations, saving the lives of countless young children.

Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award

The prestigious Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award for 2027 goes to Dr. Marni Sommer, a respected professor specializing in sociomedical sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Sommer has dramatically shifted the focus on menstrual health, turning it into a pressing global public health issue. Her considerable contributions include significant advancements in health education and advocacy surrounding menstrual health, underscoring its importance in the lives of girls and women worldwide.

Through her research that began with schoolgirls in Tanzania, Dr. Sommer documented the adverse effects of inadequate menstrual education on girls' dignity and well-being, ultimately impacting their participation in education. She has developed culturally relevant educational materials and has pushed for supportive policies and environments that foster menstrual health awareness. Her efforts have resulted in the distribution of over 2 million puberty books across ten countries, which educate young boys and girls and improve understanding of menstrual health.

Acknowledging Transformative Leaders

Both Dr. Glass and Dr. Sommer stand as exemplary figures in public health, illustrating the profound impact of research and advocacy. Judy Monroe, MD, President and CEO of the CDC Foundation, expressed admiration for the honorees, stating, “Their careers have remarkably changed the landscape of public health, improving the lives of countless individuals. Dr. Glass's work has preserved many young lives through scientific innovation, while Dr. Sommer's efforts have elevated menstrual health as a global priority.”

Dr. Glass will be honored with a monetary prize of $100,000 during the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in San Antonio, TX, held from November 1-4, 2026. Conversely, Dr. Sommer will receive $50,000 at the Society for Public Health Education's annual meeting in Cincinnati, OH, from March 17-19, 2027.

The James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation, established in 1991, is committed to honoring individuals whose work significantly uplifts public health. The CDC Foundation collaborates with the Fries Foundation to manage and oversee these prestigious awards, which not only recognize achievements but also emphasize the critical role of public health initiatives in safeguarding communities.

For more information about the CDC Foundation and its vital work, visit www.cdcfoundation.org and follow them on social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.