“Stigma, Then and Now: Historical Perspectives on Disease Meanings and Their Impacts,” Allan M. Brandt, Harvard University

This is the 2024 John C. Burnham Lecture. The John C. Burnham Lecture Series in the History of Medicine/Science was established in 2000 with gifts from Professor Burnham’s wife, Marjorie Burnham. The Ohio State University Department of History and the Medical Heritage Center at The Ohio State University Health Sciences Library are joint sponsors.

Abstract

This lecture will examine the history of disease stigma in a broad social and cultural context. Stigmatized diseases and conditions are an enormous problem for individuals and groups who are subject to prejudice, discrimination, isolation, and the violation of basic human rights. Stereotyped assumptions, beliefs, and values attached to these diseases inflict multiple harms on those who find themselves in the shadow of stigma; they also have profound effects on access to services, health care and its delivery, as well as health disparities, both here in the U.S. and around the globe. Utilizing a range of historical and current examples from cancer to AIDS; from disability to addiction, this lecture will explore the history of the social, cultural, and political production of stigma as well as interventions and policies for its reduction.

About the Speaker

Allan M. Brandt is the Amalie Moses Kass Professor of the History of Medicine and Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University, where he holds a joint appointment between the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Medical School.  Brandt served as Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences from 2008 to 2012.  He earned his undergraduate degree at Brandeis University and a Ph.D. in American History from Columbia University.  His work focuses on social and ethical aspects of health, disease, medical practices, and global health in the twentieth century.  Brandt is the author of No Magic Bullet:  A Social History of Venereal Disease in the United States since 1880 (paperback, 1987; 35^th Anniversary Edition, 2020); and co-editor of Morality and Health (1997).  He has written on the social history of epidemic disease; the history of public health and health policy; and the history of human experimentation among other topics.  His book on the social and cultural history of cigarette smoking in the U.S., The Cigarette Century: The Rise, Fall, and Deadly Persistence of the Product that Defined America, was published by Basic Books in 2007 (paperback, 2009).  It received the Bancroft Prize from Columbia University in 2008 and the Welch Medal from the American Association for the History of Medicine in 2011, among other awards.   Brandt has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  In 2015 he was awarded the Everett Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Award by the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  In 2019-20, Brandt was a recipient of fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.  He recently served as the interim chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  Brandt is currently writing about the history and ethics of stigma and its impact on patients and health outcomes. 

Sponsored by the Medical Heritage Center at The Ohio State University Health Sciences Library & The Ohio State Department of History.

Map and Directions

The Faculty Club is located at 181 South Oval Drive, between Orton Hall and Mirror Lake.

To access The Club from 315, take the Lane Ave. exit. Go east towards the main campus and turn right (south) at High Street. Nearest public parking is the Ohio Union Garage Parking Garage "C". The "C" garage is located south of the Wexner Center on the west side of High Street and is accessible from both High Street and College Road. If the parking garage is used, exit the garage on College Road and walk west along the south side of the Oval. 

There is limited surface parking around The Club. From High Street turn right (west) at 12th Avenue. Turn right at College Road. Turn left at Hagerty Drive and proceed to the end. Turn right and The Club will be on your left. You may park in front of the Club or Orton Hall with the proper OSU parking pass.  

Parking Options: Before 3:30 pm; M-F

1. University "A" Parking Permits allow for use of the Surface Lot directly in front of the club or Orton Hall
2. Members/Guests without University "A" Permits have the following parking options:
   1. Purchase a "Surface Lot" day pass from the catering/membership office: $10.25
   2. Utilize "Pay and Display" spaces directly East of the club and behind Orton Hall (limited availability)
   3. Utilize Ohio Union South Garage located off College Road and a 5 minute walk to the club

Parking Options: After 3:30 pm; M-F and Weekend Events

1. The Surface Lot located directly in front of the club and Orton Hall is available to all members and guests, complimentary with the display of an official club pass.  Parking passes will be on display and available for pickup in the club lobby.  

If you have additional questions regarding parking at The Faculty Club, contact the Club directly at 614-292-2262.

Accessibility

The entire Faculty Club building is handicap accessible. Wheelchair access point is located on the side of the building. Lifts are present on all floors. If guests are limited in mobility, the main entrance has stairs and there are three steps down into the grand lounge. The grand lounge is located on the main level, and guests will have to use two separate lifts to reach the correct level via wheelchair.