As people live longer and chronic diseases grow more prevalent, so does the impact of disability worldwide. Alan Jette believes that fact has resulted in no less than an unrecognized public health epidemic.

As this year’s J. Warren Perry lecturer, Jette will explore the issue during his discussion, “Disability: An Unrecognized Public Health Epidemic,” taking place at 1 p.m. Oct. 5 in Room 125 of the Pharmacy Building, South Campus. The lecture will also be available via Zoom. Registration is required.

Jette’s scholarship focuses on evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes, the measurement of function, and the prevention and treatment of disability. He currently serves as editor-in-chief of the journal PTJ (Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal) and is professor and dean emeritus at Boston University.

Jette served as dean of BU’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from 1996 to 2004, then was professor of health policy and management, and director of the Health & Disability Research Institute at BU’s School of Public Health from 2005-17.  He also served as professor of rehabilitation sciences at the MGH Institute of Health Professions from 2012-21.  In 2013, Jette was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine.

The J. Warren Perry Award and Lectureship honors the founding dean of UB’s School of Health Related Professions, now the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Perry was a prolific and accomplished scholar, administrator, author and lecturer.