Views of Birmingham residents required.

What keeps Mrs Dawson busy? How should you use a handkerchief? And would you call your children fat?

The Academy of Medical Sciences will be answering all these questions and more at the Electric Cinema, Birmingham on 8 September at the British Science Festival 2014.

Health, Lies and Videotape will take attendees on a journey through the Wellcome Collection/British Film Institute archives to show some of the best, worst and most hilarious public service films from the 20th century, looking at issues from obesity to sexual health.

They will be joined by a panel of researchers from around the UK, who will share their opinions on what is fact and what is fiction, navigating from the 1930s to the present day.

Views from attendees at the event and a special discussion workshop beforehand will feed the views of Birmingham residents into an Academy policy study. The project, called ‘Health of the public in 2040’ will explore the opportunities and challenges of public health over the next 25-30 years and make recommendations to policy makers, research funders and other stakeholders.

Residents of Birmingham are also being encouraged to share their views online using #health2040 to join the conversation. Those unable to attend the event can watch a selection of old public health films online and share their views at www.bit.ly/health2040

Booking information for the event is available at http://ow.ly/AYBdV.

This event is supported by the Wellcome Trust.