William Dyckman MHS

William Dyckman enjoys unraveling complexities and hopes to move public health from the “best practices” paradigm to one that better incorporates the social, cultural, economic, political and bio/ecological nuances required for an effective intervention.

As an example, Dyckman cites the AIDS epidemic in China, which he witnessed firsthand during his work there in 2005. “Despite the dissemination of ‘best practices,’ AIDS continues to defy attempts to curb its spread,” says Dyckman. Addressing AIDS in China requires not only a thorough knowledge of disease-control practices, but also an understanding of the social context. In China, AIDS is largely concentrated among marginalized groups like impoverished peasant blood-sellers and sex workers, says Dyckman. And it wasn’t until the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that the government publicly acknowledged the extent of the HIV epidemic.

Navigating this terrain effectively requires someone who can work across fields, politics and cultures. And Dyckman is well-suited for the task.