C. Everett Koop Dies at Age 96
February 26, 2013
C. Everett Koop, the most influential surgeon general in United States history, died yesterday at age 96. Among other distinctions, he vehemently preached against smoking when one-third of the nation smoked, and he focused the nation’s attention on the then-emerging disease known as AIDS. The Koop Institute at Dartmouth College confirmed the death, stating that he had died in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he had a home.
C. Everett Koop served as surgeon general from 1981 to 1989. (Office of the Surgeon General)
Koop served as surgeon general for seven years during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. Dr. Koop unquestionably had the highest profile of any person who has served in that position and was often controversial. His claim that smoking was a major health hazard and that cigarettes were as addictive as heroin and cocaine angered politicians from tobacco states, in particular the then-powerful Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Dr. Koop’s antismoking campaign resulted in 40 states restricting smoking in public places; 33 states prohibiting it on public conveyances; 17 banning smoking in offices and other workplaces; and the federal government restricting smoking in 6,800 federal buildings.
Dr. Koop shocked many conservatives by endorsing the use of condoms and sex education to stop the spread of AIDS. In 1988, he roused the ire of the Reagan administration by sending an educational AIDS pamphlet to more than 100 million U.S. households, the largest public health mailing ever carried out. He also angered conservatives by refusing to issue a report, requested by the Reagan administration, claiming that abortions caused physical and psychological harm to women. Although personally opposed to abortion, he refused on the grounds that there was no scientific basis for such claims.
Additional World Book articles:
- Public health 1984 (a Back in Time article)
- Public health 1986 (a Back in Time article)
- Public health 1988 (a Back in Time article)
- AIDS 1988 (a Back in Time article)
