Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Over a third of the global burden of anaemia occurs in India. Women and young children bear the highest burden.  Despite rapid economic advancement over recent decades, the problem of anaemia in India has not improved; indeed it may have actually worsened. Over 80% of Indian toddlers are anaemic. National strategies to control anaemia are not being effectively implemented in the field. More broadly, India continues to suffer an enormous burden of under nutrition. Ongoing macro- and micro-nutrient malnutrition, especially in children, threatens future productivity and may limit economic development. In this Tiffin Talk Dr Sant-Rayn Pasricha will discuss the causes and possible solutions to this continuing public health problem. He will also share his experiences undertaking field research in the villages and propose directions for future work.

Dr Pasricha is a research fellow at the Nossal Institute for Global Health and a NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow. He completed his medical degree in 2001, coming first in his year. He undertook specialist training in haematology at the Alfred Hospital, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. In early 2012 Dr Pasricha completed his PhD in the epidemiology and public health control of anaemia in rural India. He has written over 30 publications and conference presentations and has been awarded several prizes including the prestigious Victoria Fellowship. Later this year he will travel to Oxford, UK where he will undertake translational research into interactions between iron and inflammation. Dr Pasricha plans to eventually set up a research unit addressing blood disorders facing people living in developing countries.