UCL INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SOCIETY & HEALTH
*PLEASE BRING THIS INVITE WITH YOU
2008 IISH PUBLIC SEMINAR SERIES
You are invited to attend on:
27 May 2008, Tuesday 5pm – 6pm
Global Health Inequity and Environmental Change
Dr. Sharon Friel, Principal Research Fellow
WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health
Abstract
Growing differences in life expectancy between the countries in the world since around 1985-90
signal that the global system of human activities is not sustainable. Human actions are changing
many of the world’s natural environmental systems, including the climate system. These systems are
intrinsic to life processes and fundamental to human health, and their disruption and depletion are
exacerbating health inequities between and within countries. Ecological damage is affecting the lives
of everyone in society but it impacts most on the most vulnerable groups. We will not achieve the UN
millennium development health goals if environmental destruction continues. There is still much
research needed on the type of action most likely to improve social factors, environmental change
and health equity. But there is sufficient evidence to act now. This seminar will explore the
relationship between environmental change, the social determinants of health and health equity and
outline potential policy options.
Dr Friel is a social and nutritional epidemiologist and has worked in the area of health inequity and
public health nutrition since 1992. She is currently the Principal Research Fellow for the WHO
Commission on Social Determinants of Health, based at UCL. She is also a Fellow at the National
Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University. Prior to this she
worked as a lecturer and Assistant Academic Director in the Department of Health Promotion,
National University of Ireland, Galway. Her work is concerned with global health equity, health equity
through a social determinants framework and in particular equity in relation to food and nutrition.
This seminar will be held at UCL, it is free, but space is limited (75 SEATS). NO NEED TO RSVP .
Arrive promptly to secure a seat. Please contact us if you have any special needs. The seminar will
be held at UCL in the
Basement Lecture Theatre, UCL, 1 – 19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB
Entrance opposite Planet Organic.
Nearest Underground station Goodge St.
Email: iish@ucl.ac.uk Refreshments at 6pm after the seminar.
You may access audio recording of our some past seminars at:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/iish/seminars.htm
NEW * UCL Health and Society Summer School. Mon 30 Jun – Fri 4 Jul 2008
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/healthandsociety
UCL International Institute for Society and Health
University College London Gower Street London WC1E 7HB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 1708 Fax: +44 (0)20 7813 0242
iish@ucl.ac.uk
www.ucl.ac.uk/iish