The disease that dare not speak its name

Inaugural lecture by Professor Jackie Cassell, Chair in Clinical Epidemiology

6.30 pm, Tuesday 10 March 2009, Mayfield Lecture Theatre, University of Brighton

All welcome: please email events@brighton.ac.uk to book your place.

Venereology – the care of sexually transmitted disease – is an ancient branch of medicine expert in discretion and concealment. But in the digital world of computers in the doctor’s office, how much do we know about the epidemiology of these hidden diseases? More generally, how do doctors record our complaints, melancholies and afflictions, and who uses this information?

The complex relationship between coded health data and euphemism, concealment, denial and procrastination has led Professor Cassell away from venereology into wider studies of electronically recorded patient data. She will discuss the problematic but exciting potential of electronic records for improving public health, and for understanding our relationship with our disease and our doctors.

Was your granny safe in bed?

Professor Cassell's lecture will be preceded by a talk from Professor Anne Johnson of UCL, at 4:30 pm in the Chowen lecture theatre, BSMS, University of Sussex entitled Was your granny safe in bed? The sexual history of 20th-century Britain. All welcome.