Diet, deprivation and food retail access
The diets of the inhabitants in a large deprived housing estate in Leeds have been improved by the opening of a major food superstore in the area, according to new research funded by the ESRC and J Sainsbury plc. The findings reveal residents with the worst diet, more than doubled their fruit and vegetable consumption following the opening of the new store in 2000, although this group still ate significantly less than the Government recommended daily minimum.
Professor Neil Wrigley, who directed the study, will announce its results at the festival on 9th September at 14.00 and explain how it adds to the public policy debate on social exclusion, food poverty and the reduction of health inequalities.
Making Decisions in a Cancer Genetics Clinic
The UK Human Genetics Commission's recent proposal to offer over-the-counter predictive cancer testing will be 'of little use' to the public, according to new research led by Dr Lindsay Prior. At the Festival she will present findings to demonstrate that in the absence of family history, evidence drawn solely from lab testing will be almost useless; and that further research is required in the field of cancer heredity before such services can be successfully implemented.
Dr. Prior is based at Cardiff University. She will be disseminating her research findings at 11:45 on Tuesday 10th September.
The medicalisation of women's bodies throughout the lifecourse
How do women feel about the medicalisation of the menopause? Do they hold out their hands for hormone replacement therapy or do they turn to alternative 'remedies'? This new research has gathered together data from several distinct groups of women – divided according to their sexuality, ethnicity and class – in order to identify trends in attitudes towards modern health technologies. Preliminary findings reveal a range of differing opinions, with some groups, such as lesbian women, being more reluctant to accept orthodox medical treatment than others.
Dr. Bendelow is based at the University of Warwick. She will present and discuss the preliminary findings from this study, which is part of the ESRC's Innovative Health Technologies Research Programme, at 14:00 on Tuesday 10th September.
Ethnic Inequalities in Health
It is racial abuse, discrimination and poor economic position, not ethnic origins, which cause poor health amongst minority groups. This is the argument being made by Dr James Nazroo, whose new research reveals that victims of racist verbal abuse are 60 per cent more likely to suffer from poor health, and those whose property is subjected to vandalism are twice as likely to report fair or poor health.
Dr. Nazroo is based at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London. He will discuss the findings from this study on Tuesday 10th September at 15:45.
Hidden economies in Eastern Europe and Russia
Estimates of the size of Russia's hidden economy vary from 20 to 40 per cent of its formal economy according to Professor Mick Dunford's research that investigates the impact of the transition to capitalism on the regional and national economies of Eastern Europe and Russia. As inequality increases, poorly-paid workers typically in sectors such as health and education are forced to find alternative incomes so helping to create an enormous informal economy.
Professor Dunford, whose research is part of the ESRC's One Europe or Several? Research Programme, will announce the research findings at the festival on September 11th at 14.00.
Happiness and economics
Getting married brings happiness that is equivalent to earning an extra £70,000 a year, while the death of a partner corresponds to losing £170,000 a year. These figures were calculated by Professor Andrew Oswald, who has been funded by the ESRC to study the relationships between economics and happiness. New research is examining how an unequal society affects the well-being of a cross-section of the population.
Professor Oswald will summarise the research on economics and happiness, explain how he made the calculations and reveal initial findings on social inequality and well-being at 16.00 on September 12th at the festival.
For further information, contact:
Professor Neil Wrigley, Southampton University, Tel: 023-8059-3762 or email: N.Wrigley@soton.ac.uk;
Dr. Lindsay Prior, Cardiffi University, Tel: 029-2087-5428 or email: lindsayprior@ntlworld.com;
Dr. Gillian Bendelow, Warwick University, Tel: 024-7652-4992 or email: G.A.Bendelow@warwick.ac.uk;
Dr. James Nazroo, University College London, Tel: 020-7679-1705 or email: j.nazroo@public-health.ucl.ac.uk;
Professor Mick Dunford, Sussex University, Tel: 077-1213-4915 or email: mickd@nuvole.fsnet.co.uk;
Professor Andrew Oswald, Warwick University, Tel: 024-7652-3510 or email: andrew.oswald@warwick.ac.uk;
Or External Relations Division at the ESRC:
Iain Stewart, Tel: 017-9341-3032 or email: iain.stewart@esrc.ac.uk
Lesley Lilley, Tel: 017-9341-3119 or email: lesley.lilley@esrc.ac.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. The ESRC is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It has a track record of providing high-quality, relevant research to business, the public sector and Government. The ESRC invests more than £53 million every year in social science research. At any time, its range of funding schemes may be supporting 2,000 researchers within academic institutions and research policy institutes. It also funds postgraduate training within the social sciences, thereby nurturing the researchers of tomorrow. The ESRC website address is: http://www.esrc.ac.uk
2. The BA Festival of Science is organised by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). This year the Festival is being held at the University of Leicester from 9 - 13 September. More than 400 scientists and 3,000 visitors will come together to celebrate science and the quality of life with a packed programme of talks, exhibitions, debates, visits and social events. To book for the Festival go to www.the-ba.net or phone 020-7973-3052