The Guardian publishes St Cross Alumna's Article

Dr Amy McLennan (2007, MPhil Medical Anthropology) recently wrote an article for The Guardian regarding diabetes. Amy McLennan is a senior fellow at the School of Cybernetics at the Australian National University and a research affiliate at the School of Anthropology, University of Oxford. 

The article discusses a diabetes survey conducted fifty years ago in the Republic of Nauru, which revealed a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes among its population, leading to concerns about a potential global epidemic. Initially, researchers attributed the widespread diabetes to factors like genetics, diet, and physical activity, prompting interventions focused on nutrition and lifestyle education.  

Despite decades of such efforts, diabetes remains a leading cause of death and disability in Nauru, with limited improvement. However, recent research challenges the traditional understanding of diabetes, highlighting socio-economic factors, colonial history, and environmental influences. The article calls for a revaluation of assumptions and interventions, urging a more comprehensive approach that considers broader societal contexts and addresses underlying systemic issues. 

Dr McLennan, a medical anthropologist, explores the intersections of health, society, and technology. She completed a Bachelor of Medical Science (with focuses on Neuroscience, Nutrition, and Physiology) from the Flinders University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Science (with First-class Honors in Anatomical Sciences) from the University of Adelaide. She further pursued an MPhil in Medical Anthropology from St Edmund Hall and a DPhil in Social and Cultural Anthropology from St Cross.

Dr McLennan’s work and publications can be found here.