Lester Breslow papers, 1932-2009

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Summary

Creators:
Breslow, Lester, 1915-2012
Abstract:
Lester Breslow was a former dean of the UCLA School of Public Health, professor emeritus of health services, and one of the leading figures in public health. He was born March 17, 1915 in Bismarck, ND, and received a BS in Psychology (1935) from the University of Minnesota, where he also earned his medical and public health degrees (MD, 1938; MPH, 1941). He is widely known for his early advocacy and research into health promotion and disease prevention. This collection consists of materials related to Breslow's professional research, scholarship, and leadership in the field of public health both as a UCLA professor and as a researcher and advocate in non-UCLA affiliated projects. The papers include professional correspondence, research notes and files, authored reports and related materials, conference presentation and talks, legislative testimonies and related materials.
Extent:
53.6 Linear Feet (134 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lester Breslow papers (Collection 2246). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of materials related to the professional research, scholarship, and leadership in the field of public health of American physician Lester Breslow, a UCLA professor and dean of the School of Public Health. His research interests were health promotion, disease prevention, and public health programs. The papers include professional correspondence, research notes and files, authored reports and related materials, conference presentations and talks, legislative testimonies and related materials. This collection also includes administrative materials such as correspondence, memos, agendas, and reports related to Breslow's work at the UCLA School of Public health, as well as his extensive involvement with local, state, and national committees and commissions.

Biographical / historical:

Lester Breslow was a former dean of the UCLA School of Public Health, professor emeritus of health services, and one of the leading figures in public health. He was born March 17, 1915 in Bismarck, ND, and received a BS in Psychology (1935) from the University of Minnesota, where he also earned his medical and public health degrees (MD, 1938; MPH, 1941).

After serving as a US Army captain in the Pacific Division during World War II, Breslow went on to the California Department of Public Health, first as Chief of the Bureau of Chronic Diseases (1946-1960), then Chief of the Division of Preventive Medical Services (1960-1965), and then Director of Public Health (1965-1968). Breslow is widely known for his early advocacy and research into health promotion and disease prevention. Through pioneering studies relying on the Alameda County Human Population Laboratory beginning in the early 1960s, he helped to identify the important influence of behavior on disability and premature death. His research was among the first to show that simple health practices, such as getting regular exercise and sleep, not drinking excessively, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, supports longer and better quality of life.

Breslow joined the UCLA School of Public Health faculty in 1968, serving as Dean of the School of Public Health from 1972-1980, and continued speaking and writing as professor emeritus well into his 90s. He served on numerous local, state, national, and international associations and commissions. He served as president of the International Epidemiological Association (1967-1968), the American Public Health Association (1968-1969), and the American Schools of Public Health (1973-1975). Breslow passed away in Los Angeles on April 9, 2012.

Acquisition information:
Devra Breslow; Gift; 2014.
Processing information:

Preliminary processing by Charlotte B. Brown. Processed by Angel Diaz, 2018.

Collection includes one unprocessed CD and one unprocessed DVD.

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Arrangement:

This collection has been arranged in the following series:

  • Series 1: Teaching and university affairs, 1938-2009
  • Series 2: Research scholarship, 1932-2008
    • Subseries 2.1: Resource files, 1932-2005
    • Subseries 2.2: Grants and research, 1958-2006
    • Subseries 2.3: Publications and reports, 1949-2008
    • Subseries 2.4: Conference presentations and talks, 1955-2007
  • Series 3: Non-university work, 1950-2009
    • Subseries 3.1: Committees and consulting, 1971-2009
    • Subseries 3.2: Legislation and testimonies, 1950-2003
Materials are organized alphabetically, with the exception Subseries 2.3. Materials in Subseries 2.3 are organized chronologically.

Physical / technical requirements:

COLLECTION CONTAINS DIGITAL MATERIALS: This collection contains processed digital materials. Special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Physical location:
Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library Special Collections. The library can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Library Special Collections. Credit shall be given as follows: The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the UCLA Library Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lester Breslow papers (Collection 2246). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Website