Slaying poverty and inequality are the twin pillars of public health. Thus the good public health practitioner must formulate and design health policies to underpin mechanisms to redistribute resources more fairly. On the evidence available, universal, non-selective health systems are the surest means to this end. However, new and powerful commercial interests in the public health field have resulted in the introduction of market-based reforms in many countries’ health systems.17 May 2011
The concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising to levels unprecedented in human history. The impacts on climate are already being felt and major changes will take place in the global climate over coming decades. This lecture will give an overview of the many threats to health posed by climate change and discuss the potential for populations to adapt to a changed climate. 10 May 2011
The causes of asthma, the commonest chronic disorder of childhood in the UK, remain elusive, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which will become the third commonest cause of death worldwide by 2020, cannot be attributed solely to smoking. Professor Shaheen will describe his collaborative research and career path as an epidemiologist trying to unravel the causes of these two conditions.3 May 2011
There is a worldwide shortage of organs for transplantation. Will it be possible to use organs from animals in man? Can we better understand rejection to make the transplanted organ less susceptible? Professor Warrens discusses how his work has approached these questions and how he has become increasingly interested in medical education.11 April 2011
Antibiotics and vaccines were expected to conquer infectious diseases. Yet deadly” bacteria are constantly in the news. This lecture recounts progress and challenges in the application of molecular genetics to clinical microbiology.7 April 2011
This lecture explores creative and challenging tensions in learning related to patient safety, making reference to Professor Freeth’s research studies concerning safety culture, learning through simulated professional practice and interprofessional collaboration.31 March 2011
With the best of motives, medicine has spent 20 years driving down the cul de sac of naïve rationalism with as much reflexive questioning of its own assumptions as Jeremy Clarkson on a test drive. This lecture draws on contemporary work in the humanities and social sciences to propose more fruitful directions of travel.8 March 2011
This lecture discusses some of the principles and practice of public health taking at times a light perspective. Ian Basnett considers health and public health in east London including a historical perspective.22 February 2011
This lecture traces Professor Wong’s career progression, training and his research on developing new concepts in providing oral care for children.2 March 2011
ATP Binding Cassette transporters are integral membrane proteins that export solutes across cellular membranes. There are more than 40 ABC transporters in humans and their dysfunction is known to cause at least 26 different diseases.26 January 2011