The death of Dr Michael Mosley is truly a national tragedy (Michael Mosley: TV presenter found dead on Greek island, wife confirms, 9 June). During all my 50-plus years as a practising physician, I have never met a doctor who better melded the art and science of medicine with the single aim of improving the health of his fellow citizens.
Listening to the paean of praise from a former, previously obese MP on how Dr Mosley radically changed his life for the better and cured his type 2 diabetes was electrifying, and I know that there are thousands more grateful members of the public whose lives have been dramatically improved by following his advice. He was a very unusual doctor, one who had all the skills necessary to change human behaviour for the better, by measurable means, and that is a very rare gift indeed.
I suggest that an enduring legacy should be established, beginning with his golden words of advice being included in the curriculum of every primary school in Britain, as a lesson called “Just one thing”.
The potential of British youth is presently under threat from diverse sources as never before. “Just one thing” is an intervention that would positively benefit the life of every schoolchild, and could also extend into adulthood if adequately funded and monitored.
At a time when the parlous state of the NHS is a disgrace, just one more thing could easily help to reverse the odds.
Sam Ramsay Smith
Castell de Ferro, Granada, Spain
• I was very sad to hear of the death of Michael Mosley, and agree with the many who have praised his skills as a broadcaster and promoter of simple “do this at home” interventions to prevent illness and enhance wellbeing, particularly through his Just One Thing programmes(Michael Mosley: TV presenter found dead on Greek island, wife confirms, 9 June). I wonder if it might be feasible to build on that model as a way of remembering his name. Ideas could be submitted by members of the public to an expert panel, which could evaluate their feasibility and value.
For example, for a while now I’ve been practising motionless exercising while travelling by bus. You stand in the space in front of the buggy park, put your arms around the vertical cushioned rest in front, but don’t hold it, or even touch it. You then attempt to stay that way as the bus moves off, speeds up, turns and stops, using your stomach muscles, leg muscles and feet to stay upright and unsupported. Of course, if you have to, you move your feet, or even grasp the rest. So it’s perfectly safe, but still a challenge, at least for this septuagenarian. I wonder what Dr Mosley would have thought.
Steve Turner
Edinburgh
• Dr Michael Mosley has done more to change my everyday life than any other broadcaster. Every morning I do a short routine including balancing on one leg and plank. I joined U3A to learn Latin following his recommendation to learn a language. I practise Latin every day, and regularly attend other U3A groups. Most recently, I have discovered the joy of green tea, reducing my caffeine intake.
Olwen Poulter
Leeds
• To honour Michael Mosley, today I will stand on one leg, drink a glass of water with my meals, eat a red apple, and have an afternoon nap. I’ll miss him.
Nell Napier
Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
• I was desperately sad to hear of Michael Mosley’s death. He was an irrepressible and inspirational figure and, although I never met him, I feel like I’ve lost a friend. He leaves behind a corpus of writing and TV programmes of immense value, which has helped many people improve their health, particularly in relation to obesity and type 2 diabetes. I can’t imagine what his family are going through. I hope they find some solace in their grief at knowing how much he and his work meant to people such as myself.
Dr Martin Treacy
Cardigan, Ceredigion
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