[Emigration of social medicine experts of the Berlin Charité to the USA - careers of the students of Alfred Grotjahn].
BACKGROUND
In 1920, the physician Alfred Grotjahn was appointed as first Chair for Social Hygiene in Germany at the University of Berlin. During reign of national socialism, the Institute for Social Hygiene was closed and from 1933 and 1945 transformed into an Institute for Racial Hygiene. During that period, many German scientists including social medicine co-workers of the Berlin Charité emigrated due to political, religious or racial prosecution.


METHODS
The basis for this biographical presentation of co-workers of Grotjahn, who emigrated to the USA, is based on research conducted at German and American sources such as the Archive of Humboldt University of Berlin, Federal Archive in Koblenz, National Institutes of Health in Washington, NARA Archive in Washington, and Alan-Mason-Chesney Medical Archives in Baltimore.


RESULTS
The Jewish scientists Franz Goldmann, Miron Kantorowicz, Alfred Korach and Georg Wollf, all former co-workers of Alfred Grotjahn, were forced to leave the country in the 30s and emigrated to the USA. They were active in different areas of public health and pursued relatively successful careers.


CONCLUSIONS
The societal system and mentality of the USA have obviously profited from the professional background and experience arising from the emigration of former social medicine experts of the Charité.
Willich
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Institut für Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsökonomie, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin. stefan.willich@charite.de
Etzold
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K
Berghöfer
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A
D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D028683:National Socialism / Q000266:history*; D012936:Social Medicine / Q000266:history*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States