Introduction
The naming of diseases after famous individuals has long been an interesting topic. Lou Gehrig, a renowned baseball player, had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after him. My question is, why do some people with diseases get those diseases named after them while others do not? What’s it take to get that kind of notoriety, and who do I talk to in order to be considered?
Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Lou Gehrig was a celebrated baseball player who played 17 seasons for the New York Yankees in the 1920s. When he was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the disease became widely known as Lou Gehrig’s disease due to his fame.
The Case for Other Names
If a disease can be named after Lou Gehrig, why not name other diseases named after other individuals, even if they are not as famous? For instance, I have pre-diabetes. What if pre-diabetes was called the “Jim Larsen Condition” or “Jim Larsen Syndrome”? Honestly, I like “Syndrome” better than “Disease.” It just sounds cooler.
Celebrity Diseases
Consider COVID-19: Tom Hanks was one of the first big celebrities to contract it, yet we don’t call it the “Tom Hanks Disease.” Similarly, during the AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, actor Rock Hudson was a notable figure who had AIDS, but the disease wasn’t named after him. It could have though, that’s all I’m saying. And Micheal J. Fox with his Parkinson’s disease? What about that?
Personal Reflections
I sometimes suffer from a dry cough. Perhaps this could be known as the “Jim Larsen Syndrome.” While if they don’t want to name pre-diabetes named after me, a dry cough being called the “Jim Larsen Syndrome” would be cool too.
Conclusion
The naming of diseases after individuals seems arbitrary and influenced by factors like fame and public awareness. While Lou Gehrig’s disease is a well-known example, there are many other conditions and celebrities that haven’t been similarly honored. Naming a disease after someone can bring awareness, but it also raises questions about why certain individuals receive this recognition while others do not.
