The first lecture in the series A New Vision for Health themed The Biology of Poverty took place on 27 November. Keynote speaker was Scottish Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns, who looked at the links between deprivation and ill health. His presentation reviewed research which suggests that deprivation and disadvantage create long term stress, which increases the body's physiological stress and defense responses and this may lead to a higher risk of disease. Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, opened the session with an overview of health inequalities in Northern Ireland.

The lecture was chaired by Mark Carruthers from BBC and generated lively debate as well as some very positive feedback.

Presentation by Dr Burns: The Biology of Poverty

Presentation by Dr McBride: Health Inequalities - The Northern Ireland Context

Presentations from the session are also available in the Capacity Building section of this website.