Medical sociologist to speak about complex effects of social stressors affecting Black Americans

In the midst of economic strain and social unrest that have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the dynamic effects of stress is more critical than ever. To elevate these issues and develop an understanding of how these stressors affect Black Americans, specifically, the West Virginia University School of Public Health will host medical sociologist Courtney S. Thomas Tobin, Ph.D., as its featured speaker during its upcoming Dean’s Colloquium.

Thomas Tobin will present “Stress, Coping and Health: Insights from Research on Black Americans” on Sept. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hostler Auditorium (G-17) on the Health Sciences campus. The event is free and open to the public. 

Thomas Tobin’s area of research and expertise focues on the social, psychological and biological (also known as biopsychosocial) pathways that impact the health and lifespan of Black people in America. In this talk, Thomas Tobin will share examples from her research program on Black Americans to highlight the complexities of social stressors and the ways that individuals cope with them, as well as the influence of stress and coping on health and health disparities in the United States.

“Dr. Thomas Tobin is a leading voice in the complex, compounding stressors affecting the lives of Black Americans," said Erik Carlton, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs. "Her message is profoundly important for our state, especially for the health and well-being of Black West Virginians. We are honored to have her present the fall 2022 Dean’s Colloquium.”

Thomas Tobin serves as associate professor in community health sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health and a Faculty Affiliate of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.

A light lunch buffet will be available to attendees before and after the program, starting at 11 a.m. and available until 1 p.m. To attend the Dean's Colloquium virtually, visit the Dean's Colloquium Series page, where a Zoom link will be made available ahead of the event. 

This presentation is part of the School of Public Health’s Dean Colloquium Series and made possible through a partnership with the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, where Thomas Tobin will also serve as a speaker during their upcoming Eberly Roundtable event. 

-WVU-

MEDIA CONTACT: Nikky Luna
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Public Health 
304-293-1699; nikky.luna@hsc.wvu.edu