Health inequalities

A lively debate on health inequalities will take place in St Andrews this week (Friday 19 March 2004).

The public event will see world expert Professor Richard Wilkinson from the University of Nottingham’s Medical School present his latest finding on risk factors and how social structure increases risk.

The event is being organised by the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews’ Social Dimensions of Health Institute.

Responding to Professor Wilkinson – author of “Unhealthy Societies: The Afflictions of Inequality” – will be Dr Richard Mitchell, from the University of Edinburgh’s Medical School. Dr Mitchell, while agreeing with some aspects of Professor Wilkinson’s presentation, plans to question other areas and ask how his work might affect policy. Delegates will then be invited to take part in the discussion.

The event is expected to be attended not only by academics from the two Universities, but also by colleagues from the NHS, local councils and the University of Abertay Dundee.

The Social Dimensions of Health Institute brings together more than 70 researchers from both Universities to address the social, economic and cultural factors underpinning public health and building on the long history of health-related research collaborations between the two Universities.

Trained in economic history and social epidemiology, Richard Wilkinson worked briefly in health promotion in the National Health Service before taking up research, working on health inequalities and social determinants of health. He is now Professor of Social Epidemiology at the University of Nottingham Medical School and Visiting Professor at the International Centre for health and Society at University College London.

The event – which is open to the public – will be held at 4pm on Friday 19 March 2004 in the Psychology Library, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS – You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to the event at 4pm on Friday 19 March 2004, Psychology Library, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews. For more information re. the event, please call Karen Munro, Research Manager, Social Dimensions of Health Institute, telephone 01382 348659.

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, please contact Contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or cg24@st- andrews.ac.uk; Ref: press releases/sdhi event View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk