Dear Reader,
The Fall 2010 issue represents the 10th volume of TuftScope. Begun in 2001, TuftScope has spent the last 10 years ensuring that thought-provoking journalism concerning issues of health,ethics and policy has been made available to the Tufts community and beyond. Over the years, we have prided ourselves on our accessibility. In an effort to continue this tradition of accessibility, TuftScope is proud to announce yet another innovation. In early 2011 we will unveil our Winter edition in celebration of TuftScope’s 10 year anniversary. The Winter edition, in conjunction with our Fall and Spring editions, will make TuftScope a tri-annual publication.

This decision was based upon a number of factors, including an influx of original content submissions and an increase in interest among our readers. TuftScopeJournal.org now accepts submissions year round which means that we have often had to choose not to publish quality work in our print edition for the sake of space. You, our reader, have shown continued interest in the content produced by TuftScope and we wish to provide you with more, quality information on issues you care about.

In addition to the Winter Edition, I am proud to introduce a new section of TuftScope: “TuftScope Abroad”. Each piece will feature a Tufts student who has done work in a health or policy making setting in a foreign country. This edition of “TuftScope Abroad” follows Emily Clark as she treats underserved children in Madagascar. Our renewed focus on theTufts community, the community which shows us so much support, influenced our interview. In this edition, you will find Mark Leiserson’s interview with Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. Mayor Curtatone has partnered with Tufts to enact Shape Up Somerville in an effort to curb childhood obesity. Also on this topic, you will find Eriene-Heidi Sidhom’s commentary on First Lady Michelle Obama’s program Lets Move, also meant to curb childhood obesity.

The Fall 2010 edition continues the conversation on the use of technology in health, first begun in the Fall 2010 edition. Dr. Inayat Memon surveys concerns raised by electronic medicine in his original article, “A Challenge to e-Health: The Need for Ethical Guidelines in Developing Countries”. The conversation is further continued in the Opposing Viewpoints in which TuftScope asks, “Should it be easy to exit the NHIN?” in reference to consent procedures concerning the proposed Nationwide Health Information Network, a federal database meant to one day house our electronic health records.

It has been a joy serving TuftScope and for that I would like to thank the entire TuftScope staff. This issue would not have been possible without the efforts of the Editorial Board. Special thanks goes to Professor Harry Bernheim for his invaluable advice and applause, Mark Leiserson for his support and flexibility, Eliza Heath for her tireless layout and design work ,and Eriene-Heidi Sidhom and the TCU Senate for financial guidance and support.

Sincerely,

Lauren-Elizabeth Palmer