Professor Gaetano M Fara

Direttore dell’Istituto di Igiene "G. Sanarelli",
Università "La Sapienza" di Roma,
Rome, Italy

Professor Gaetano Fara is Director of the Hygiene Institute in Rome and a leading expert in hygiene, public health and preventive medicine in Italy and Europe.

Graduating in medicine from the University of Milan in 1958, Professor Fara began his career at the Milan Institute of Hygiene, receiving doctorates in hygiene in 1965 and in microbiology in 1967 and becoming full Professor in 1970. Professor Fara was Chairperson of the Institute of Hygiene in 1974 and Director of the Postgraduate School of Public Health and Director of the University School of Nursing. His present professorial positions include Professor of Hygiene at the Università "La Sapienza" di Roma, and Director of the Postgraduate School of Public Health and School of Nursing. Professor Fara is also Head of the Central Service of Hospital Hygiene at Umberto I University Hospital in Rome.

Professor Fara has varied research interests, covering epidemiology and prevention of infectious and non-infectious disease. Other areas of specialisation include vaccination, environmental hygiene with emphasis on health consequences of pollution, deep and surface water pollution, disposal of solid and hospital wastes, food and home hygiene.

Professor Fara has widespread involvement and responsibilities associated with public health groups in Italy. These include:

Member (1985-1992) and Chairman of the 2nd Section (1988-1992), National Health Council, Italian Ministry of Health

Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Indoor Air Pollution, Italian Ministry of the Environment

Member of the Health Group, National Disaster Committee, Italian Ministry of Emergency Relief

Consultant in health and environmental problems to the Federation of Chemical Industries

Italian delegate to the European Pharmacopoeia (1975-1979)

Chairman of the Epidemiological Working Team for the Seveso TCDD Accident (1976-1978)

Professor Fara is also a member of a number of professional bodies, including President of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, President of the Italian Society for Promotion of Immunoprophylaxis and President of the Italian Society of Confined Communities Medicine.

Professor Fara is author or co-author of over 400 publications in national and international journals and books on preventive medicine. He is currently Editor of the Quaderni dell'Istituto di Igiene dell'Università di Milano and Annali di Igiene, Medicina Preventivia e di Communita, Rome, and a member of the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Epidemiology, Ligand Quarterly and Igiene Moderna.

Below are a selection of publications by Professor Fara:

Beumer R, Bloomfield S, Exner M, Fara GM, Scott E. The need for a home hygiene policy and guidelines on home hygiene. An ad hoc Meeting of the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. Ann Ig 1999; 11 (1): 11-26.

C. Renzi, E. Zantedeschi, C. Signorelli, J.F. Osborn, G.M. Fara. Comportamenti sessuali e rischio di HIV/AIDS nella popolazione generale: aspetti metodologici di un'indagine nazionale nell'ambito di una Concerted Action europea. Ann Ig 1999; 11 (2): in corso di stampa.

Beumer R, Bloomfield S, Exner M, Fara GM, Scott E. Guideliness for prevention of infection and cross-infection in the domestic environment. IFH International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. Milan: Intramed Communications, 1998.

Fara GM, Melino C, Montacutelli R, Del Vecchio R. The "Antique Laboratory" as a museum in the "G. Sanarelli" Institute of Hygiene. In: First International Conference "The history of Occupational and Environmental Prevention". Roma, October 4-6, 1998.

Fara GM, Orsi GB, Tarsitani G, Venditti M. Outbreak of Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis in patients undergoing cataract surgery in Italy. Eurosurveillance Wkly 1998; 18 (30 April).

Orsi GB, Di Stefano L, Fara GM, Noah N. Extended hospital stay caused by hospital acquired septicaemia. (Abstract). In: 4th International Conference of the Hospital Infection Society, 13-17 September 1998. J Hosp Infect 1998; 40 (Suppl A): P.2.1.4 (free paper H5B).

Patti AM, Santi AL, Bellucci C, Pompa MG, Matroeni I, Palestini M, Fara GM. Nosocomial transmission of HCV hemodyalisis centres. Ann Ig 1998; 10 (3): 147-54.

Fara GM, Di Roma S. Il cloro nella disinfezione, antisepsi e nelle emergenze dopo calamità naturali. Res Epydemiol 1997; 1 (3): 19-23.

Patti AM, Aulicino FA, Santi AL, Bocchini S, Mastrantonio A, Bellucci C, Mastroeni I, Fara GM. Reoviruses as indicators of enteric virus pollution. Biologi Italiani 1997; 2: 35-8.

Fara GM. Introduzione. In: Noah N. The epidemiologist and the laboratory: partnership or rivarly?. Ann Ig 1996; 8 (3): 321.

Fara GM. Requisiti igienico-sanitari dei prodotti carnei: valutazione dei rischi per il consumatore. In: Atti del Convegno "La contaminazione da salmonelle delle carni fresche. Vigilanza e valutazione dei rischi". Roma, 24 aprile 1996. Roma: Centrostampa De Vittoria, 1996: 46-9.

Patti AM, Aulicino A, Santi AL, Tombolesi P, Fara GM. The virological characterization of Italian coastal areas from 1987-1993. Quaderni dell'Istituto di Igiene dell'Università di Milano 1996; 48: 45-9.

D'Alessandro D, Fara GM. The Health Care System in Italy: its organization and financing. Quaderni dell'Istituto di Igiene dell'Università di Milano 1995; 47: 12-7.

Fara GM. Outdoor air pollution and health. Medicina nei secoli Arte e Scienza 1995; 7 (3): 445-48.

Fara GM. Teaching Public Health in Italy. Quaderni dell'Istituto di Igiene dell'Università di Milano 1995; 47: 7-11.

Fara GM, Biasio LR, D'Alessandro D. Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Italy. In: Proceedings for the International Meeting "Prevention of invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b: the new challenge for the health of children in Southern Europe". Rome, 4-5 May 1995: 21-22.

Fara GM, Patti AM, Giustini C. The blood safety: an increasing problem in developing countries. Proc 2nd Internat Conference on Prevention for Viral Hepatitis. Zanzibar (Tanzania), April 26-29, 1995.

Fara GM, D'Alessandro D, Sassi F, Loiudice M. La cultura economica nella sanità italiana. In: Atti del 36º Congr Naz SiTi. Alghero, 30 settembre-1 ottobre 1994:1-45.

Ballada D, Biasio LR, Cascio G, D'Alessandro D, Donatelli I, Fara GM, Pozzi T, Profeta ML, Squarcione S, Riccò D, Todisco T, Vacca F. Attitudes and behaviour of health care personnel regarding influenza vaccination. Eur J Epidemiol 1994; 10: 63-8.

Fara GM. Chimica e salute. In: La chimica per la qualità della vita. Roma: Federchimica, ottobre 1993: 15-43.

Fara GM, D'Alessandro D, Zantedeschi E. L'igiene ambientale nel contesto metropolitano. Ig San Pubbl 1993; 49 (6): 337-52.

Fara GM, Orsi GB. Rifiuti speciali sanitari: normativa attuale e possibili innovazioni. Il Patologo Clinico 1993; 10: 714-9.

Angelillo B, Fara GM, Nappi G. Composants naturels indesirables dans les eaux. Intervention de la journee scientifique internationale sur: Actualisation des criteres de qualite des eaux minerales naturelles. Palma de Mallorca, 4-5 giugno 1991. Madrid: ANEABE, 1993: 61-5.

Patti AM, Santi AL, Pompa MG, Giustini C, Vescia N, Mastroeni I, Fara GM. Viral hepatitis and drugs: a continuing problem. Int J Epidemiol 1993; 22 (1): 135-9.

Fara GM. Introductory epidemiological remarks on the Eurodiab program. Ann Ig 1992; 4 (3): 143-5.

Bartoli A, Marazzi MC, Palombi L, Fara GM. Proposte per un sistema informativo sull'handicap. In: 34º Congresso Nazionale SITI "Ambiente e salute. Esperienza e ruolo dell'igienista". Roma, 16-19 aprile 1991. Roma: Italsanità, 1991: 318-9.

Fara GM. L'ambiente. Technoambiente 1991; 2: 11-2.

Fara GM. National advisory body for immunizations of tourists. In: WHO, Regional Office for Europe. Immunization of tourists and other travellers. Report of a Working Group. Venice, 11-13 november 1990. Copenhagen: WHO, 1991 (EUR/ICP/EPI025/24).

Fara GM. Processi di riorganizzazione: le funzioni di igiene pubblica, di prevenzione e di sicurezza del lavoro. In: Mattioni, A., eds. Verso l'USL azienda. Milano: Vita e Pensiero, c1991 (Pubblicazioni dell'Università Cattolica): 263-270.

Fara GM, D'Alessandro D. Sanità Pubblica: obiettivi, strumenti organizzativi e metodologie. ISIS News 1991; 6: 26.

Mantovani A, Morosetti G, D'Alessandro D, Fara GM. Igiene urbana medico-veterinaria. Veterinaria Italiana. Riv. di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria 1991; 27 (2): 44-51.

Orsi GB, D'Alessandro D, Bonacci S, Corpolongo D, Fara GM. Indagine microclimatica su alcune sale operatorie di un ospedale di Roma. In: Atti del Symposium "Indoor air quality and health". Perugia, 24-26 october 1991. Bologna: Monduzzi, c1991: 321-4.

Signorelli C, D'Alessandro D, Collina D, Fara GM. Prevalence survey of nosocomial infections in a paediatric hospital. J Hosp Infect 1991; 18: 139-43.

Signorelli C, Autelitano M, Guasticchi G, Barillaro S, Tarsitani G, Fara GM. Impact of information campaigns on AIDS in Italy: results of a survey involving over 2000 young adults (Abstract). XIIth Scientific Meeting of the International Epidemiological Association. Los Angeles, California, 5-9 August 1990. USA: IEA, 1990.

Signorelli C, Cattaruzza MS, Fara GM. Preliminary results of a study of caesarean section epidemiology in Italy: trends and public health implications based on national data (years 1980 trough 1985) (Abstract). In: Atti Regional European Meeting of the IEA: Granada, 14-16 febbraio 1990: 20.

Fara GM, D'Alessandro D, Cattaruzza MS. L'emergenza ecologica: analisi degli aspetti ambientali e dei problemi scientifici. Relazione al Convegno dell'Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo "Economia, Ambiente e Sanità". Forlì, 16 settembre 1989. Ig San Pubbl 1990; 46: 177-90.