Public Health

The Public Health research group comprises epidemiological studies, health services research, statistics and social sciences and public health intervention studies into diseases and modifiable risk factors of high public health importance. We run or contribute to a number of cohorts, registers and collaborations that support these ventures.

We also run the MPH course. This Masters in Public Health  attracts international as well as home students and reflects the multidisciplinary nature of public health. You will follow a flexible and innovative curriculum and will study under the supervision of some of the country’s leading experts in public health.

CLEAN collaboration

We are part of the CLEAN collaboration: a consortium of senior scientists across Scotland tasked with evaluating the impact of Scotland’s smoke-free legislation. We have led on several important studies including studies of the impact on acute coronary syndrome, childhood asthma, pregnancy outcomes and quit attempts.

Cancer

We host the West of Scotland Cancer Surveillance Unit. It was established in 1972. Linked cancer registry data cover a population of 2.5 million and provide invaluable information on cancer incidence, management and outcomes. Analyses of these data have contributed to improvements in cancer services and outcomes.

Counterweight Programme

We are leading the evaluation of Counterweight, which is the first fully evaluated, evidence-based primary care weight management programme. It is currently being delivered across the UK and operates in over 200 sites in Scotland alone.

UK Biobank

UK Biobank is a prospective cohort study that has recruited more than 500,000 participants. 30 year follow-up is being undertaken via linkage to routine data sources. It will be an invaluable resource for studying the separate and combined effects of genes, lifestyle and environment on common complex diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancers.

Scottish Coronary Revascularisation Register

The register has collected data prospectively on all diagnostic catheterisations, percutaneous coronary intervention and cardiac surgery across Scotland since 1996. It provides comprehensive information on disease severity, comorbidity, demographics, procedural information and in-hospital complications. The register is linked to routine hospital admission (SMR1) and death certificate data providing follow-up information on survival, cardiac events, readmission and repeat procedures.

CRESH

We are part of The Centre for Research on Environment Society and Health (www.cresh.org.uk), a virtual centre joining scientists from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our research is focused on exploring how physical and social environments can influence population health, for better and for worse. We are particularly interested in how aspects of the natural and built environment can work to improve health. Our team has extensive experience in researching how key characteristics of the environment can positively and negatively affect health behaviours and related outcomes.

Healthy Working Lives Group

The mission of the Healthy Working Lives Group is to improve the well-being, maximise the potential and reduce health inequalities of the working age population through cutting-edge, policy informing research. This is structured around the central tenets of the Healthy Working Lives strategy: health promotion, health protection, rehabilitation, employability and lifelong learning.