David's Blog
A blog to promote debate and discussion around current issues of interest to the network. David MacKintosh, one of the founders of the network, writes a weekly blog piece, all editions of which can be found here. We also invite contributions to the blog from others with ideas and opinions on issues relating to health behaviours and urban health and wellbeing. If you would like to contribute, please send your post to us for consideration at [email protected] - if accepted for publication, your blog will be posted here on the GPHN website, as well as being included in the weekly GPHN alerts sent to all those in the network.
David's blog #31: Sticks, Carrots and Ice Cream
There is nothing new about governments taking a view on the desirability, or otherwise, of the use of certain products or activities. This has often influenced tax or tariff rates. Government’s ...
David's blog #30: Health and Happiness
On the upside I have greatly enjoyed spending time with colleagues, friends and family. Its been an opportunity to talk and to think in a more relaxed manner than working life normally allows. Ine...
David's blog #29: Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument - Desmond Tutu
Last week provided a very welcome reminder of the broader world with an invitation to the launch of a new book, Collapse of the Global Order of Drugs. In the interest of openness, I should declare...
David's blog #28: Ignorance and Alcohol
Within the City of London, we have also been working to put in place advice and resources to help ensure those out celebrating in the run up to Christmas and the New Year have a safe and enjoyable...
David's blog #27: A hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people – Maya Angelou
The current Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, has certainly set some ambitious, possibly heroic, targets. He has stated that by 2035 he wants people to have an additional five years of...
David's blog #26: The Train Tracks of History (from a quote by Eisenhower)
The first that caught my eye was the headline Megacities can offer a better standard of living to people. This was contained within the business pages, which don’t normally hold my attention, but...
David's blog #25: The Challenge of Sharing and the Danger of One Trick Ponies
Digital provides many advantages in terms of access, reducing the number of trees converted to pulp and cost of production. But there are downsides. Viewpoints, beliefs and small-scale studies com...
David's blog #24: Thank You Odesa!
What an excellent event the City Health 2018 conference proved to be. The seventh edition since the inaugural event at the Guildhall in the City of London in 2012 each subsequent has added to the ...
David's blog #23: City Matters
The programme for this year’s conference has an impressive breadth. There are sessions which remind us that we need to continue our efforts in tacking TB, AIDS, and the harms associated with drug...
David's blog #22: Making it Real and the Importance of Hope
These stories originate from a variety of sources. Government departments, public health teams, charities, advocacy groups, and researchers all produce campaigns or materials which are aimed at ...