Economic Growth at the Cost of Well-being – Dr. Rob Noonan (Pt1)

Physical Activity Researcher

"Our obsession with economic growth might be making us sicker—what can we do about it?"
In this powerful first episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen sits down with Dr. Rob Noonan, an expert in health and education, to explore the critical link between capitalism and public health. Dr. Noonan explains how our relentless focus on economic growth has led to widespread public health issues like obesity, mental health struggles, and increasing health inequalities. As more people consume ultra-processed foods, work longer hours, and face social deprivation, society's overall well-being is declining—and it's time to rethink our approach.

Drawing from his book Capitalism, Health, and Well-being, Dr. Noonan calls for a shift in economic priorities to focus on creating healthier environments, rather than simply growing the economy. He highlights the need to tackle the social determinants of health, showing how where we live, work, and grow plays a crucial role in our health outcomes. This episode sheds light on the systemic drivers of poor health and why individual responsibility isn’t enough to solve these societal issues. If you're interested in the intersection of health, economics, and social justice, this episode is not to be missed.

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This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | Better Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle

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Explore our Wearables, Experience sampling method (ESM), Sleep, Heart rate variability (HRV), Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity article collections for insights on related articles.

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Refer to our article "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Measurements" for an exploration of active and sedentary lifestyle assessment methods.

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Learn about actigraphy in our guide: Exploring Actigraphy in Scientific Research: A Comprehensive Guide.

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Gain foundational ESM insights with "Introduction to Experience Sampling Method (ESM)" for a comprehensive overview.

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Explore accelerometer use in health research with our article "Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Accelerometers ".

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For an introduction to the fundamental aspects of HRV, consider revisiting our Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability.

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