Richard A. Cash, a prominent public-health researcher known for developing a simple oral rehydration solution that has saved an estimated 50 million lives, passed away on October 22 at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 83 years old, and the cause of death was reported as brain cancer.
In the late 1960s, cholera and dysentery were responsible for the deaths of approximately five million children annually, primarily due to dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. Dr. Cash, who began his work in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1967, recognized the urgent need for effective rehydration methods in impoverished communities where intravenous treatments were impractical.
Working alongside fellow researcher David Nalin, Dr. Cash conducted trials to test a new oral rehydration therapy. They carefully measured fluid loss and replaced it with a solution of salt and sugar, which facilitated absorption. Their study involved 29 patients and demonstrated that the oral treatment was effective, with only a small number requiring additional intravenous treatment.
The efficacy of their method was further validated during the 1971 Bangladesh war of independence, when cholera outbreaks surged among refugees. Indian pediatrician Dilip Mahalanabis successfully implemented oral rehydration as a key part of the response, showcasing its potential to combat deadly diseases.
Dr. Cash and Dr. Nalin collaborated with the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (now BRAC) to educate local mothers on administering the treatment at home, ultimately training around 12 million parents. This grassroots effort significantly reduced diarrheal deaths and established oral rehydration therapy as a common practice in Bangladesh and beyond.
Born on June 9, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Cash graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his M.D. from New York University. He joined the U.S. Public Health Service as a pacifist alternative to military service during the Vietnam War and later became a lecturer at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cash emphasized the value of low-tech public health solutions, arguing that simple methods are often more effective than complex technologies, especially in less developed regions. He continued to advocate for these principles until his passing, leaving a lasting impact on global health practices.
Dr. Cash is survived by his wife, Stella Dupuis, two stepsons, two sisters, and four step-grandchildren.