Bath welcomed the Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Sir Chris Whitty to the city this week as part of the University of Bath’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
In the first of a series of ‘Adelard lectures’ – named after 12th Century natural philosopher Adelard of Bath – Professor Sir Chris Whitty addressed an audience of over 350 at Bath’s Pump Rooms, reflecting on decades of public health progress and the shift to prevention.
In his address, ‘Looking back to shape a healthier future’, Professor Whitty reflected on how health interventions have evolved over the past sixty years, highlighting major advances in public health, the growing importance of prevention, and areas where progress has been uneven.
Drawing on decades of evidence, he set out both the scale of the challenge and the opportunities ahead, particularly as health systems look to shift from treating illness to helping people stay well for longer.
The event also featured a showcase of Bath’s leading preventative health work – from the University, the NHS, the public sector, and the third sector.
The city of Bath has long been a sanctuary for those seeking wellness, rejuvenation, and healing. Its journey as a hub for wellbeing began in antiquity, rooted in the thermal waters that have drawn people for thousands of years. What started as a small Roman settlement, Aquae Sulis, evolved into one of the most famous health retreats in Europe, blending natural resources with human innovation, shaping Bath’s identity as a haven for those in need of restoration – both of body and spirit.
More information about the event, including a recording of the lecture, is available on the University of Bath’s website.