Review
Review from ICTHP Section Newsletter of the American Public Health Association Spring, 2021 Dr. Cohen’s book is solidly based in public health with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. The book is written for the general public as well as for health educators and others involved in community health. The straight-forward and explanatory style make it a valuable teaching tool. Nutrition is a core concept and Dr. Cohen reviews valuable information about the body’s requirements for promoting optimal health. In particular, the issue of systemic inflammation is addressed in a variety of ways, including important nutrients to minimize it, the physiology of inflammation, assessing the level of inflammation through various laboratory tests, and food additives and ingredients that are best avoided. The book includes a clear discussion about risk factors that contribute to inflammation and stresses the practices that can be modified in order to reduce the risk of inflammation as well as the risk of contracting Covid-19. Dr. Cohen includes a reliable and valuable set of references in his book and very readable explanations of physiology.This book is a valuable contribution to empowering the public with knowledge for self-care. —Elizabeth Sommers, PhD, MPH. Chair, Integrative, Complementary and Traditional Health Practices Section, American Public Health Association “Dr. Cohen again uses his vast knowledge of nutrition and epidemiology to share ideas on diet and lifestyle than can strengthen immunity and ward off the chronic conditions that predispose one to poor health out- comes associated with COVID-19. The advice he gives, diets, and recommendations can be applied long after the virus is under control as a means of attaining better body weight, improved health, and longevity”. —Will Evans, PhD, MCHES, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Nursing and Health Professions, The University of Southern Mississippi formerly Professor and Head, Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University “I LOVE this book... Dr. Cohen has humbly devoted his life to the prevention of disease, and in his new book, Fighting Covid-19, the Unequal Opportunity Killer, Dr. Cohen has once again gifted us with his copious application of reason. He deploys his ability to see through the cloud of political, bureaucratic, and corporate corruption and greed, eloquently stating the truth that everyone needs to know. People rarely die FROM Covid-19, they die WITH Covid-19. Epidemic conditions that cause widespread bodily inflammation are marching our populace ever closer to the cliff’s edge, and too often, Covid-19 is pushing them off. Dr. Cohen has articulated this problem well, and has presented common-sense solutions that millions of people can use to build a wall of secondary prevention; in the event of covid-19 infection, well-informed and prepared patients are much more likely to breeze through the virus with a cold that might otherwise have been catastrophic... even I used [this] to easily endure the virus with only mild symptoms...I recommend this book to all patients concerned with the covid-19 pandemic, and especially those who struggle with metabolic disease, diabetes, and obesity”. —Vance Lassey, MD, Family Physician, Holton, Kansas Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita, Founder and CEO, Holton Direct Care & Vice President, Direct Primary Care Alliance “A brilliant scientist and caring doctor distills the essence of what you need to do to maximize your body’s defense mechanisms against Covid-19 into easily understandable information”. —Robert D. Durst, MD, Dermatologist, Topeka, Kansas, Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology & Fellow of the American Society for Dermatological Surgery "Here’s a new book that could save your life. As the editor of the book, I began following the directives and not only lost 40 pounds, but I went from a pre-diabetic to a normal regime within three months. By changing my metabolism, I lowered my risk for getting COVID-19 and having heart problems and diabetes. The book is Fighting COVID-19, The Unequal Opportunity Killer: You Are Not Helpless in the Face of the COVID-19 Epidemic, by Irving A. Cohen, MD., a well-respected doctor who is board certified in preventive medicine. Dr. Cohen urges us to continue to do everything we are already doing to prevent exposure and use the immunization when it becomes available for us. This book targets additional strategies, building a wall to lessen the chance of severe illness, should you be exposed. As I mentioned, following Dr. Cohen’s plan makes you healthier all around. A win-win. We know that age and race are risk factors for bad outcomes. Instead of feeling helpless because you cannot change your age or race, learn how those statistical associations are caused by underlying factors. Those underlying factors can be modified. With the help of your health provider, they also can be objectively measured!" —Alice Heiserman, Bethesda, MD President, Write Books Right Congratulations for writing this splendid book packed with health enhancing information which is critically needed, especially at this time. I appreciated the depth and clarity of your explanations throughout the book. My copy is already heavily highlighted and will continue to be a valuable resource. The chapters, Inflammatory Spectrum of Diabetes, Objective Lab Tests, and Reversing Insulin Resistance contain crucial information for me since have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
Thank you for offering your knowledge and years of experience in Preventive Medicine in this book and for the guidance it provides for us to take our power back regarding optimal health. —Mae Lovell, R.N., Certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor
About the Author
Irving A. Cohen, MD, MPH has dedicated his medical career to the prevention of disease, focusing on early interventions to prevent more serious disease outcomes later. Recognizing that medicine focused on treating illness that was often preventable, he trained in Preventive Medicine and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, and served as Chief Resident of Preventive Medicine. He has been Board-Certified in that field for 35 years and is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Cohen served in many settings and has held faculty appointments at prestigious institutions. He developed programs and has written books concerning recovery from addiction, overweight, and diabetes. He has presented at scientific forums in the U.S. and Canada. He recognized that the unequal risk of serious illness and death from Covid-19 was modifiable. He wrote this book to tell the public that they are not helpless, even when increased risk is attributed to race or age.
