Mortality Displacement: Sixty Years of Debate and Consequences
Join us on Wednesday, September 9th for the Department of Epidemiology seminar series featuring Dr. David Jones.
Abstract: As scrutiny of air pollution epidemiology increased in the 1960s, researchers wondered whether pollution crises mostly killed people with preexisting cardiac or respiratory disease who would have died soon anyway. This idea, named “mortality displacement,” “harvesting,” or “anticipation” gained increasing attention in the 1990s and 2000s, with studies of air pollution, heat waves, and climate change, and again in the 2020s with COVID. Pinning down whether the phenomenon is real or not has proved surprisingly difficult: many contradictory findings have been published. The most careful analyses (many done at HSPH) have discounted the phenomenon. Yet the concept endures in both academic writing and public discourse. This talk will explore the history of mortality displacement in an attempt to understand why the debates persist and what consequences the debates—and the concept itself—might have for public policy.
Bio: Trained in psychiatry and history of science, David Jones teaches history of medicine, medical ethics, and social medicine at Harvard University. His research has ranged from the history of epidemics to heart disease, cardiac therapeutics, race, air pollution, and the health effects of the climate crisis.
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Harvard Chan School students are invited to let us know at The Studio’s Open House, August 27, 1-2 p.m., 10th Floor, Kresge Building.
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Drop by the Open House and:
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- say hello to golden retriever Sophie, a therapy dog
- enjoy some light refreshments
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Reduce your stress, calm your nervous system, and reset.
Sit with a rotating group of some of the most influential instructors in the mindfulness space, including monastics from the Plum Village tradition. Each session offers a variety of mindfulness practices and insights to support your well-being. It’s the perfect reset to mark the middle of your week!
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Please note that these sessions are for relaxation and general wellness only and are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment. By participating, you agree to take responsibility for your own physical and emotional well‑being, and to consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical or mental health concerns.