Latitude, Health and Sustainable Goals

DLA Annual Conference 2024
Parallel session H

Friday, 31 May 2024
from 10:00 to 11:30

Lead
Dr Richard Hobday, independent researcher and author, UK
Prof. Brian Norton, Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork and Technological University Dublin, Ireland

Description
One of the targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the reduction of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030. This initiative from 2013 came in response to a growing burden of chronic disease. Many low- and middle-income countries were undergoing rapid transitions in economic growth and in the built environment. Their populations were adopting the living and working habits of more affluent societies located at higher latitudes. Once this began obesity, cancer, diabetes and other health problems that were common away from the Equator soon became more problematic closer to it. Research over many years has shown such conditions to be complex. This workshop will to bring together DLA members who are interested in participating in a review of the subject.

Objectives

  • The aim will be to develop a better understanding of global health problems by investigating how daylight, or lack of it, at different latitudes influences their onset and progression.