The four workgroups are based in four of the main OxHA focus topics, set by the OxHA Board in January 2006, and around which much of OxHA’s work is centred.
The discussions at the summit took advantage of the unique convening of our diverse stakeholder groups to identify the challenges and opportunities of each theme.
The session began with 10-minute presentations from the leader of each workgroup, who provided a brief overview of their topic, bringing delegates up to speed with OxHA’s achievements to date and identifying where work in each theme would be particularly welcomed (click here >> for footage of this session).
Delegates were assigned to a workgroup in advance, to ensure that each group has representation from as many stakeholder groups as possible, and from a wide geographic spread.
Outputs from the four workgroups can be found by clicking through from here >>
Designing healthy cities (Design)
- Led by Professor Steve Leeder, OxHA and University of Sydney. Presentations by Vanessa Watson (University of Cape Town) and Ed Blakely (University of Sydney)
- As global warming becomes front-page news the issue of the built environment is newly prominent. The concerns of a small group of urban designers, architects and planners are rapidly becoming part of the global conversation among concerned citizens in every part of the world. As cities are re-shaped by environmental concerns there is a historic opportunity to design healthier environments for people.
- Click here >> for a pdf of a working paper on this topic, on which we encourage your comments.
- Click here >> for a short video introducing this issue.
Healthy business (Workplace)
- Led by Christine Hancock, OxHA . Presentation by Len Deacon (Bankmed, South Africa).
- The burden of chronic disease is felt increasingly keenly by employers around the world. Every organisation can positively influence the health choices and lifestyle of its employees – it is a matter of enlightened self-interest to do so. This workshop will consider how OxHA can serve to catalyse action in this realm.
Making the case (Economics)
- Led by Dr Rachel Nugent, OxHA and Population Reference Bureau. Presentation by Tom Gaziano (Harvard).
- There are many ways to save a life in the developing world. Why should chronic disease prevention gain the attention and support of health and economic decision-makers? Solid evidence and convincing examples are available to show that solutions are at hand to slow the growth of chronic disease. This workshop will examine how we can make the arguments for prevention persuasive to those who matter, show them that chronic diseases affect the young and poor, as well as the old and wealthy, and enlist them in meeting the challenge of chronic disease reduction.
It's the future (Youth)
- Led by Tommy Hutchinson, OxHA and Equator Media. Presentation by Michelle McMahon (Equator Media and OxHA).
- Young people are not passive recipients of health-promotion campaigns. They have a critical role to play in determining effective communications – especially to their peers. Their perspective and sensitivity to changing trends makes them best placed to influencing healthy lifestyle behaviour. We have a unique opportunity to gather great ideas to build a platform for future health promotion to young people.