What could a feminist perspective on power bring into public health?

The issues raised in this editorial indicate that public health research must embrace the advances made in the understanding of gender and other power dynamics, which influence the social distribution of health and illness among the population. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that social research (including that in health) is part of the social fabric--not separable from--the processes of power. Thus, a power perspective in public health can bring a more comprehensive and subtle understanding of the multiple and contradictory elements of gender and other relations of power that impact on the health status of populations.

Nosocomial rubella--consequences of an outbreak and efficacy of a mandatory immunization program.

An outbreak of rubella in a large metropolitan hospital is described. Nineteen cases among employees and three secondary cases in family members occurred. Nosocomial cases occurred among the 3,900 employees of an adult medical-surgical unit where a voluntary program of rubella immunization was in effect. No cases occurred among the 1,400 employees of the women's and pediatric units with mandatory policies, despite interfacility and community exposure. Ten pregnant women were among the 377 contacts of the cases. Five were sero-negative to rubella. Two who developed clinical rubella, one asymptomatic sero-conversion and one other, all elected to terminate their pregnancies. The remaining woman, exposed in her third trimester delivered a normal infant. We conclude a policy requiring new employees to be rubella immune is more effective in preventing nosocomial rubella than a voluntary program and is desirable in view of the potential consequences of an outbreak to pregnant employees.