Michael Craig Watson is an independent public health consultant. In the NHS he worked mainly as a Director of Health Promotion for different health authorities. Director posts involved: managing a department, initiating and leading multi-agency groups, and initiating and advising on research and evaluation. At the University of Nottingham, he was involved in injury research for 19 years. He was a temporary adviser for the WHO and has also provided advice at national and local levels. He has been involved in research in different countries including England; Iran; Malawi; Palestine; and Uganda. He is a regular contributor to debates in the BMJ.