Tony McMichael
Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
International Centre for Health and Society, UCL
2001 Seminar Series
31 January, 5pm (followed by drinks at 6pm)
'Germs, Genes and Climate Change: Sustainable Epidemiology'
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Abstract
Modern epidemiology” has been largely shaped by estimating risks to
individuals from specific, often potent, risk factors for cardiovascular
disease and cancer. Much has thus been learnt about the proximal
causes of disease. Today, there is growing interest in analysing
patterns of health and disease at the population level, thereby attaining
a more integrated understanding. This is part of an emerging “ecological”
perspective that will become increasingly important in a world in which
the perturbation of large complex systems – the global climate system,
the hydrological system, ecosystems, and urban social systems –
poses risks to human health. Recognition of this ecological, systems-
based dimension to population health accords with the ongoing sea-
change (“crisis”) in modern science, acknowledging the complexity,
uncertainty and conditionality of scientific knowledge. Epidemiologists
must become more polyvalent, and ready to extend concepts and
methodological practices. Many of the emerging population health
problems arise within a complex systems context, and are not
amenable to single-discipline reductionism nor individual- level analysis.
Biosketch:
Tony McMichael, Professor of Epidemiology at the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has wide-ranging interests in social and
environmental epidemiology. He has chaired the Scientific Council of the
International Agency for Research on Cancer, worked collaboratively
with WHO, UNEP and the World Bank, and coordinates health impact
assessment for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He
has published “Planetary Overload: Global Environmental Change and
Human Health” (Cambridge U.P., 1993) and “Human Frontiers,
Environments and Disease: Past Patterns, Uncertain Futures” (CUP, in
press).
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Patricia Crowley
Centre Administrator
International Centre for Health and Society
Dept of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL
1 - 19 Torrington Place
London WC1E 6BT
Tel: (International code +44 20) or (Domestic code 020) 76791708
Fax: (International code +44 20) or (Domestic code 020) 7813 0280
Email: [log in to unmask]
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