Starvation in Gaza is a multi-generational disaster

In today’s episode:

• Rethinking how we measure the harm caused by the  arms industry
• The life long, and multigenerational, impact of starvation in Gaza
• What is the appropriate focus on prevention in general practice?

 

The BMJ's international editor, Jocalyn Clark talks about a new series we've just published - examining the arms industry as a commercial determinant of health. Jocalyn also speaks to Mark Bellis, from Liverpool John Moores university about why he thinks it’s time we take the impact of the arms industry on health seriously.

The blockade on food reaching Gaza is in place again, risking more starvation. Elizabeth Mahase, clinical reporter for the BMJ, has been finding out about the acute, chronic, and generational impact on the palestinian population. She speaks to Jonathan Wells, professor of anthropology and paediatric nutrition at University College London, and Tessa Roseboom, professor of early development and health at the University of Amsterdam, Marie McGrath former head of the Emergency Nutrition Network, and Chris McIntosh, humanitarian response advisor for the charity, Oxfam.

Finally, an analysis we published earlier this year made the case that "tsunami" of preventative care is destabilised the work of GPs. Helen Macdonald was at the Preventing Overdiagnosis conference and spoke to some of the authors - Minna Johansson, associate professor at University of Gothenberg, Stephen Martin, professor at UMass Chan Medical School, and Iona Heath, retired GP and former president of the RCGP.

 

Reading list

Arms industry as a commercial determinant of health

Starvation is a lifelong sentence: Gaza’s civilians must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law

Sacrificing patient care for prevention: distortion of the role of general practice