Anthony Costello studied medicine and psychology at Cambridge University and trained in paediatrics. He has worked as a doctor in the NHS, as a professor of international child health and director of the Institute for Global Health at University College London, and as a director of the department of maternal, child and adolescent health at the World Health Organisation. For 20 years he worked with women’s sympathy groups in the UK, Bangladesh, India, Malawi and Nepal.
His research partners include Nepal (Mother and Infant Research Activities, MIRA), Bangladesh (Diabetic Association of Bangladesh BADAS, and the University of Health Sciences), Ekjut (meaning ‘coming together’) in Jharkhand and Orissa, the Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action, SNEHA, in Mumbai, the Parent and Child Health Initiative in Malawi and the UCL Institute for Global Health in London.
He is a co-chair of the Lancet Countdown for Climate Action and Health. He has published over 360 peer-reviewed papers. His book ‘The Social Edge The Science of Sympathy Groups for Health, Wealth and a Sustainable Future’ will be published in early 2018.
His own sympathy groups encompass a book circle, a soul band, and a cricket club. His academic teams have stormed, normed and performed in many different cultures. He lives in Geneva and London with his wife and three children. He supports Millwall FC.