The Jerry Morris lecture organised by the Department of Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences will take place in the Physics Enderby Lecture Theatre, H.H Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol at 5.30 pm.  Sponsored by the National Heart Forum, this is the first annual public lecture dedicated to the illustrious career of Professor Jerry Morris. 

Dr Willem van Mechelen at the VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam will deliver a lecture on The obesity epidemic: interventions for people and places and Professor George Davey Smith in the Department of Social Medicine at Bristol University will pay tribute with Jerry Morris and the uses of epidemiology.  The evening will also include the presentation of the Lifetime Health and Fitness Awards to MSc students.  

Jerry Morris and his colleagues began publishing landmark studies in 1953 on exercise and heart disease, which were to open the door for what is now a vast literature on exercise epidemiology. The most famous study of London transport workers showed that more physically active bus conductors who climbed the stairs of double-decker buses were at lower risk of coronary heart disease than the more sedentary drivers.  Jerry remains an active member of the Department of Public Health & Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, even though he ‘retired’ in 1975.  He is still publishing a dozen papers a year at the age of 96.

At the centennial Olympic Games in Sydney, Jerry was honoured, together with Dr Ralph Paffenbarger of the USA, with a special medal in recognition of his pioneering studies into exercise and heart disease. 

Dr Ashley Cooper, Head of the Department of Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, said; “We look forward to welcoming Jerry to tomorrow’s lecture.  Jerry has inspired many young researchers to pursue careers in both exercise epidemiology and social medicine.  In honour of Jerry, his scientific contribution to public health, and his phenomenal career, the Department of Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences is pleased to dedicate this annual public lecture in his name.”  

The Jerry Morris lecture will be held on Tuesday 20 February at the Physics Enderby Lecture Theatre, H H Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndal Avenue, at 5.30 pm.  There is no need to book but seating may be limited.  For further information please contact Jodie Hooper on tel (0117) 331 1107 or email jodie.hooper@bristol.ac.uk.