Health & Society

Whilst obesity is related to lower socioeconomic status in developed countries, in developing countries obesity is related to higher socioeconomic status. Dr Teresa Alvarez explores this obesity paradox, discussing the reasons behind the paradox and potential policy implications.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Ex-drug addicts often claim that their addictions remain with them, even decades after their apparent cessation. Sam McLean explores why this is, and what the philosophical implications of a link between addiction and memory might be. To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Eugenics, despite etymologically meaning good birth, is commonly associated with the dark history of Nazi ideology, and frequently met with a degree of alarmism. Giulia Cavaliere explores the potential risks and benefits of pursuing more nuanced understandings. To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk    

Following high profile discoveries of violations committed against care home residents, human rights have taken on a new importance in the context of care homes. Caroline Green explores the idea that the ways in which human rights are discussed have important implications for care.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Current Alzheimer's disease understanding is dominated by a biomedical model which has seemingly been long disproved, yet remains prominent within research and the media. James Fletcher explores controversies within current thinking on Alzheimer's disease.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Mobile health apps have proliferated wildly over the last few years, with manufactures keen to tap into a vast market of health-aware tech-savvy consumers. Dr Federica Lucivero explores the health app phenomenon, raising important questions around data, governance and the meaning of empowerment.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk    

Recent decades have seen a gradual shift in understanding of the causes of ill health from a purely biological concern towards the inclusions of social issues. Dr Sebastian Fonseca explores the implications of these more expansive understandings of health for concepts of inequality and justice.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Population ageing is an unprecedented global phenomenon, with populations of older people growing rapidly. Lawrence Sacco explores current trends and projections, and suggests novel ways of thinking about what older societies will look like. To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Prescribing trends of osteoporosis drugs differ substantially between England and France. Jonathan Guillemot explores these differences, the reasons behind them and their implications for health policy.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Implemented in 2012, auto-enrolment aims to "nudge" people into pension saving by automatically enrolling employees into the scheme. Hayley James explores ideas around behavioural economics and rationality which underpin auto-enrolment policy.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 was designed to empower vulnerable adults to be involved in decision-making where possible. Suzanne Snowden outlines her experience of the Act in practice whilst conducting research with people with dementia.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Kerala, India, has recently witnessed a shift towards positive perceptions of organ donation and transplantation, following high profile donation cases and government initiatives. Abin Thomas explores the reasons behind this transition, potential implications and future trajectories.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

The study of epigenetics has become dominant within health research, examining the ways in which genetic expression is more environmentally malleable than originally thought. Clémence Pinel explores the production of epigenetic research in the lab, and the idea of conducting ethnography in non-traditional settings. To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk    

The idea is not uncommon that older people should be a lower priority in terms of health care resource allocation due to their having lived for a substantial amount of time. Dr Ben Davis explores this idea of a "fair innings", questioning its role in guiding healthcare.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk

Psychiatric home treatment is seen as an important form of mental health care delivery in the community, reducing the need for institutional provision. Cameron Spence explores the motivations, enactment and efficacy of psychiatric home treatment.   To see a transcript of this podcast, please visit http://www.healthandsociety.co.uk