Vale Basil Hetzel AC — a giant of public health

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) joins with the broader community in farewelling Basil Hetzel AC, an international giant in public health. He died on 4 February.

“The public health community, and especially those who were lucky enough to deal regularly with Basil, are saddened and pass on our condolences to his family and friends,” said Michael Moore, CEO of the PHAA and president of the World Federation of Public Health Associations.

According to Moore, “Basil was best known for doing research in Papua New Guinea that identified iodine deficiency as a major contributor to goitre and associated cretinism. However, his contribution went much further.

“The lesson for public health professionals from his life is the importance of following up, influencing the governments of the day and influencing the general population,” added Moore.

As an example, Moore pointed out, “His early work pre-empted the establishment of the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) and, thanks to him, common iodised table salt as a diet supplement has largely eliminated the condition.”

His significant achievements were recognised in 1990 when Basil was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). He was the first chief of nutrition at the CSIRO and was chancellor of the University of South Australia.

Professor Fran Baum, past president of the PHAA, said, “He was a great man in so many ways and so full of compassion for people. I have enjoyed many conversations with him over the years about the changing levels of compassion among our political class, which was a concern of his.”

She added, “He has always been a great supporter of the Public Health Association of Australia, attending our local SA branch meetings very faithfully and being so totally supportive of younger colleagues, including me.”

Both Moore and Professor Baum agreed that “we are unlikely to see a public health professional of his stature for a long time”.