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David Toole

Associate Professor of the Practice of Global Health, Theology and Ethics
Duke Global Health Institute
Box 90432, Durham, NC 27708
1364 Campus Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


David Toole has a joint appointment in the Global Health Institute, the Divinity School, and the Kenan Institute for Ethics. His recent courses include Global Health Systems, Global Health as a Moral Enterprise, Challenges of Living and Ethical Life, and Life, the Universe, and Everything: How to Ask the Right Questions in a World without Answers. His research centers on questions concerning what it means to be human, and on the role of mission hospitals in African health systems.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of the Practice of Global Health, Theology and Ethics · 2014 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers
Nannerl O. Keohane Director of the Kenan Institute for Ethics · 2023 - Present Kenan Institute for Ethics, University Institutes and Centers
Associate Professor of the Practice of Global Health, Theology and Ethics · 2019 - Present Divinity School
Associate Professor of the Practice of Global Health, Theology and Ethics · 2019 - Present Kenan Institute for Ethics, University Institutes and Centers
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2015 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News


Published January 4, 2024
‘Scene on Radio’ Podcast Season Opener Focuses on 1898 Coup in Wilmington
Published March 4, 2020
Essays on Questions Concerning What It Means to Be Human
Published September 28, 2018
Ethics Students Find Power Plant Proposal Sheds Light on Gray Areas of Decision Making

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Recent Publications


A 2-Year Holistic Health and Stress Intervention: Results of an RCT in Clergy.

Journal Article Am J Prev Med · September 2017 INTRODUCTION: This study sought to determine the effect of a 2-year, multicomponent health intervention (Spirited Life) targeting metabolic syndrome and stress simultaneously. DESIGN: An RCT using a three-cohort multiple baseline design was conducted in 20 ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Emergence of Undergraduate Majors in Global Health: Systematic Review of Programs and Recommendations for Future Directions.

Conference The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · January 2017 Global health education has been expanding rapidly and several universities have created an undergraduate major degree (bachelor's degree) in global heath or global health studies. Because there are currently no national guidelines for undergraduate degree ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Pursuit of Purpose and Vocation

Institutional SupportPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke Endowment · 2020 - 2024

DukeEngage in Durham NC and Durham England

Public ServicePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke Endowment · 2017 - 2024

Annual Funding

Institutional SupportPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by William R. Kenan, Jr. Fund for Ethics · 2022 - 2023

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1996 Ph.D.