|
2001-2002 Scientia Program
Health and Welfare Policy
The century just concluded brought us enormous progress in living standards, with economic prosperity and with medical and technological research combining to increase longevity and improve quality of life for many. This same century introduced new threats to human welfare, however, including environmental hazards, weapons of mass destruction, and infectious diseases such as AIDS. The result is that while the potential for expanding the duration and quality of life to new heights has never been greater, so too the potential for the rapid elimination of our species has never loomed so large. What are the prospects for human health and welfare as we move into the new century? How will the race between the development of new preventative measures and cures, on the one hand, and new hazards on the other, resolve itself? To help us answer those questions, Scientia will turn to experts on key areas such as behavioral and social factors in health, new ethical issues in medicine, substance abuse, biotechnology and its implications for extending and improving human life, health and the environment, bio-warfare and security issues in health, and the government's role in health policy.
Scientia is an institute of Rice University faculty founded in 1981 by the mathematician and historian of science Salomon Bochner. Scientia provides an opportunity for scholarly discussion across disciplinary boundaries; its members and fellows come from a wide-range of academic disciplines.
Scientia sponsors an annual series of colloquia (past years' programs are listed at bottom of this page) devoted to the exploration of a broad topic from a variety of points of view. These colloquia are open to the general public. The topic of the 2001-2002 Scientia colloquia is Health and Welfare Policy. Most colloquia consist of a speaker, a panel of discussants who respond to the speaker's remarks, and a period for questions from the audience. Unless otherwise noted, the colloquia will take place on the specified Tuesdays at 4:00 pm in the Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library (enter Library, make two lefts to the elevator, take elevator to third floor, Room is to left). A wine and cheese reception will follow each event.
The high point of the year is the distinguished Bochner Lecture, which is held instead in the evening.
Tuesday, 19 February 2002, 4:00 p.m., Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
Larry V. McIntire, Ph.D., E. D. Butcher Professor and Chair, Department of Bioengineering Rice University
Title: A World View of Tissue Engineering: Opportunities and Challenges
Abstract: Tissue engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary area of research and technology that has the potential to revolutionize our methods of healthcare treatment, with dramatic improvement in the quality of life for millions of people throughout the world. This seminar will evaluate different strengths and strategies employed in Europe, North America and Japan with regard to the development of tissue engineering. The role of government policy and stem cell technology will also be discussed.
Note: Prof. McIntire has recently been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
Tuesday, 19 March 2002, 4:00 p.m., McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall
Richard Keeling, M.D., Executive Editor, Journal of American College Health ( news release)
Title: Drinking and our Common Health: the Challenge of Campus Alcohol Programs and Policies
Abstract: A specific pattern of excessive drinking, binge drinking, constitutes the most important public health concern on most college campuses; binge drinking also affects the academic mission of institutions of higher education because it undermines students’ achievement, reduces the quality of campus life, and detracts from the learning environment. In national studies, the prevalence of binge drinking among college undergraduates has remained remarkably stable despite the interventions of educational programs, new campus policies, regulatory changes, and the development of substance-free housing; in fact, the rate of frequent binge drinking—and of drinking for the purpose of getting drunk—have increased. The reasons for this persistence are complex, and include the functionality of drinking in students’ lives, the social and cultural integration of drinking in campus life, the association of binge drinking with certain sociodemographic measures of power and status, and the difficulty of formulating effective prevention strategies or policy elements that are at once reasonable, humane, and appropriately targeted. Most attempts to reduce the frequency of or harm done by binge drinking have not been informed by a cautious understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural dynamics of the behavior and its antecedents, and have not included an authentic attempt to involve students as meaningful contributors who can create solutions. Too many regulatory and statutory approaches threaten unreasonable limitations on freedom. A renewed relationship with students is central to better results in the future, as are more specific and focused interventions. Neither students nor institutions will benefit from broad approaches designed primarily to control, regulate, mislead, or demean students. Tuesday, 16 April 2002, 4:00 p.m., Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin
Title: Applying Social and Psychological Research to Societal Problems
Abstract: Some of our most vexing health problems -- AIDS, bio-terrorism, stress-related illnesses, crime, substance abuse -- can be analyzed through the lens of psychological and social processes. By considering people's basic needs, loves, and fears, we can begin to construct a healthier and possibly happier society. Some of the difficulties of moving from controlled laboratory research to social policy will be explored. Tuesday, 30 April, 2002, 4:00 p.m., Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
Christine Gorman (Rice '82), Associate Editor and Senior Writer, Time Magazine
Title: The Potential Threat of Bio- and Nuclear Terrorism: Is Media Coverage Hazardous to our Health?
Abstract: US Government officials have warned that the tragedy of Sept. 11 could pale in comparison to those of future episodes of bioterrorism or nuclear terrorism. Just how serious are such threats? What are the journalist's roles and responsibilities in reporting on the possibilities? Is there a risk of 'crying wolf'? How might legitimate reporting be misused-by either terrorists or our own government?
Directions:
A map of the Rice Campus is available here. From that map you can gain additional information about parking and the location of specific buildings
Scientia Lectures:
Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
Traveling on Main Street, enter the campus at Entrance #1. Directly ahead is Lovett Hall (the building with the arch/Sallyport), turn to the right, Fondren Library is the third building on the left (set back several feet from the other buildings). (Parking: Drive straight ahead to the Stadium Lot--the shuttle bus departs every 10 minutes from the depot, located on the Campus Inner Loop Road, near the buildings.)
The Bochner Lecture:
McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall
Traveling on Main Street, enter the campus at Entrance #1. Directly ahead is Lovett Hall (the building with the arch/Sallyport), and Duncan Hall (lecture site) is the first building to the right, across the street. From University Boulevard, enter the campus at Entrance 8. (Parking: Drive straight ahead to the Stadium Lot--the shuttle bus departs every 10 minutes from the depot, located on the Campus Inner Loop Road, near the buildings.)
All lectures are free and open to the public.
Fall, 2001 Colloquium Schedule
Tuesday, 9 October 4:00 p.m., Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
Alvin Tarlov, M.D., Professor, UT Health Sciences Center - Houston and Fellow, Baker Institute, Rice University
Title: "The Social Determinants of Population Health and Human Welfare Policies"
Abstract: The health of Americans is substandard relative to the peoples’ of other economically developed nations. Of the various factors that influence population health, social and societal characteristics have evolved in the 20th century to become the most influential. This presentation about Americans’ health will include: the U.S. paradox of highest health care expenditures per capita yet health rank in the lowest quartile; the paradox of a steadily rising life expectancy yet widening disparities in health; those at the top of the socioeconomic ladder have superior health, with each step down the ladder revealing lower health status; the science base of this young field supports a summary declaration that inequality in social and societal advantage is the fundamental driving force that creates disparities in health; and recent evidence of the real-life practical implications of social inequality. What can be done in the short term and what needs to be accomplished in the long term to transform America’s social organization toward improved health and welfare? With the information revolution in a world moving toward a universal economy there is almost instant capacity to see and hear almost everyone else in the world. More flexible policies regarding the tradeoffs between individualistic libertarianism and the collective public good might be needed to address issues of health and welfare.
Bochner Lecture. Note: The Bochner is an evening lecture.
Friday, 16 November, 8:00 p.m. McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall
C. Everett Koop, M. D., former U.S. Surgeon General, 1981 - 1989
(Dr. Koop's Dartmouth website is here)
Title: "The Right to Health Care: Has the Time Come?"
Tuesday, 4 December 4:00 p.m., Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
Baruch Brody, Ph.D., Professor, Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University
Title: "Philosophical Reflections on the Stem-Cell Research Debate"
Abstract: The development of public policy on stem cell research involves reconciling the diversity of American views on the status of the preimplantation zygotes which are destroyed in deriving the cells. We faced the same issue when we were developing public policy on fetal tissue research. What can be learned from that earlier issue? How can we deal with issues of complicity raised by the opponents?
Note: Prof. Brody has just been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
|
