Public health for paediatricians: how an evolutionary perspective can help us improve children's well-being
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Authors
Swanepoel, Annie
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Issue Date
19/09/2024
Type
Journal article
Language
Keywords
Children and Young People
Alternative Title
Abstract
Introduction
Humans lived as hunter-gatherers for 95% of our 200 000-year history.1 Social scientists call our modern societies ‘WEIRD’: Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic.1 In evolutionary terms, the last 10 000 years that we have not lived as hunter-gatherers is brief.
Dobzshansky famously stated that ‘Nothing makes sense in biology, except in the light of evolution’. This is also true for medicine and for paediatrics. We suggest that it is important for paediatricians to consider the evolutionary view, as small adjustments from a public health perspective might make it easier for children to thrive.
Description
Citation
Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice 2024;109:259-262.
Publisher
License
Journal
Archives of Disease in Childhood Education & Practice
Volume
109
Issue
5