News at the Centre for the History of Medicine
Ed Devane co-authors Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) briefing on childhood obesity
Ed DeVane, a Wellcome Trust doctoral student in the Centre for the History of Medicine has co-authored Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) briefing on childhood obesity which has been published this week. POST produces impartial, non-partisan, and peer-reviewed briefings, designed to make scientific research accessible to the UK Parliament.
The briefing finds that obesity is complex and driven by multiple and interacting behavioural, social and environmental factors. It also considers that many stakeholders now argue that the UK Government’s current focus on individual behaviours, improving diet and restricting unhealthy food and drink marketing is insufficient to halve childhood obesity prevalence by 2030. Successful reductions in childhood obesity may require a broader set of policy initiatives that span educational settings, town planning and health services.
Ed is currently writing a PhD on the history of healthcare planning. Building the NHS: Planning, Publics and Britain’s New State Healthcare Facilities, 1945-74