Feb 21, 2022
In 1899 W.E.B. Du Bois published a landmark study on tuberculosis in the Black communities of Philadelphia, titled “The Philadelphia Negro.” This was the first scholarly work to demonstrate that social forces, including racism, are fundamental to health outcomes. In recognition of Black History Month, sociologist Dr. Alexandre White and health equity scholar Dr. Rachel Thornton join Dr. Josh Sharfstein to tell the story of this remarkable study. They also explain why understanding this history is empowering to medical and public health practitioners today. Read Dr. White and Dr. Thornton's recent publication, with Dr. Jeremy Greene, in the New England Journal of Medicine here. www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMms2035550