Food Study Group: Food, Society & Public Health

Call for papers: British Sociological Association Food Study Group, “Food, Society and Public Health”, July 14-15, 2008, London

The conference will explore the interface between food, society and public health through a sociological lens. Practices and decisions involving food are not solely matters of individual behaviour or action and food and health therefore need to be considered within the context of families, communities, other social groups, and society at large.Does exploring food allow scholars to look beyond what is eaten to highlight fundamental differences between segments of society? Understanding differences in food consumption patterns could offer wider insights into, for example, social class, ethnicity, self-identity or the life course and the implications of these patterns for social and health inequalities. This conference will bring together researchers, practitioners and policy makers interested in addressing such questions.

The conference will allow for in-depth presentation and discussion of key topics along with shorter sessions for the presentation of emerging findings, work in progress and new research from postgraduate students.Liz Jackson, Events Officer
The British Sociological Association
Tel: +44 (0)191 383 0839
Fax: +44 (0)191 383 0782
Email: conference@britsoc.org.uk
Visit the website at http://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/food.htm

Early History of Public Health Associations in China

Early history of Public Health Associations in China

I would welcome hearing from H-Asia readers who have an interest in, or who can suggest any sources of information regarding, the early history of public health associations in China. It has come to my attention, with respect to Jiangsu Province, that a “Kiangsu Public Health Association” was organized at Nanjing ca. 1916 (the date of the organizational meeting was apparently April 15, 1916). Can anyone tell me anything about the activities of this association and/or about the length of time that this association existed? Did it try to do anything in response when the 1918-1919 worldwide influenza pandemic arrived in Jiangsu Province? Can anyone provide any details about any other early regional “public health association” (as distinguished from such entities as the Shanghai Municipal Council’s Public Health Department) in China?

Steve Upton/ILEAD,
rsu77@alum.dartmouth.org