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Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) Institute for Advanced Study (IAS)

Human Health Complexity (on-site)

Seminar

The way public health problems are conceptualized shapes the kind of solutions we seek, and the methods we use to do so. The classical paradigm of public health, dating back to the nineteenth century, seeks ‘magic bullet’ interventions that operate on a universal, necessary cause of disease idea. This framework enabled breakthroughs such as vaccination and water treatment, against infectious diseases and some diseases of deficiency. However, it has proved unsuited to many of the public health challenges that affect contemporary populations, including for example health inequality, mental health, obesity, and polypharmacy.
Date
16 June 2022
Time
11:00 -14:30

To overcome this problem, several researchers have argued for the benefit of applying system thinking and complexity theory to public health. At this seminar, we will discuss how systems thinking can be integrated within epidemiology and public health intervention research. IAS fellows Naja Hulvej Rod and Morten Hulvej Rod will present work conducted during their fellowships with Prof Karien Stronks and Dr Federica Russo, followed by a discussion of further perspectives from public health, the social sciences and philosophy introduced by Prof Harry Rutter, Prof Brian Castellani, and Prof Alex Broadbent.

Program

11.00 Welcome and introduction
Huub Dijstelbloem, Director of IAS, University of Amsterdam
11.10

Human health complexity in epidemiology
Naja Hulvej Rod, IAS Fellow and Professor of Epidemiology, Dept of Public Health, University of Copenhagen
11.35

A systems approach to intervention development in vulnerable populations
Morten Hulvej Rod, IAS Fellow and Professor of Health Promotion, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark
12.00 Lunch
12.30

Perspectives from philosophy, social science and public health – discussion led by:

Harry Rutter, Professor of Global Public Health, University of Bath
Brian Castellani, Professor of Sociology, Durham University
Alex Broadbent, Professor of Philosophy, Durham University

Each discussant will have five minutes to comment on the initial paper presentations and introduce further perspectives, followed by discussion in plenary
14.15

Concluding remarks
Prof Karien Stronks and Dr Federica Russo, University of Amsterdam      
14.30 It’s not that complex after all - the discussion continues over coffee
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