Annual Gene Brody Symposium Set for March 24
The Owens Institute for Behavioral Research will host its annual Gene Brody Symposium on Wednesday, March 24 at 3pm.
Join Dr. Sherman James, a social epidemiologist and the originator of the “John Henryism” theory, to learn how the theory came about, what we have learned since he first proposed it in the early 1980’s, and what outstanding questions remain.
The legend of John Henry tells of a post-Civil War black man who proved himself greater than a steam powered drill, but afterwards, died from exhaustion. Whether the legend is interpreted as a tragedy, a heroic tale, or both, the story contains a sober truth for all Americans. There are many examples of African Americans who, like John Henry, overcome humble backgrounds and systemic barriers to achieve great success, but at what costs to their health?
Dr. Sherman James is the Susan B. King Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Public Policy at Duke University. He was a professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (1973-89) and the University of Michigan (1989-03). At Michigan, he was the John P. Kirscht Collegiate Professor of Public Health and has received numerous awards and honors in his prolific career.