USA: David J. Sencer, 86, Dies; Led Disease-Control Agency

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NEW YORK / The News York Times / U.S. / May 4, 2011

By BRUCE WEBER

David J. Sencer, who as a federal and New York City public health official confronted some of the most threatening infectious diseases of the past half century, finding controversy in both roles, died on Monday in Atlanta. He was 86.

His death, at Emory University Hospital, was caused by complications of heart disease, his daughter Susan said.

Dr. Sencer was the longest-serving director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the federal agency based in Atlanta, holding the post from 1966 to 1977.

Photograph of David J. Sencer by Bryan Meltz
Courtesy EMORY Magazine Spring 2008

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