Figure 1: Scottish Health Survey 2016 showing Percentage exceeding guidelines on weekly alcohol consumption (over 14 units) among adults, 2003-2015, by sex. 742x515px
Figure 1: Scottish Health Survey 2016 showing Percentage exceeding guidelines on weekly alcohol consumption (over 14 units) among adults, 2003-2015, by sex. 742x515px

Surveying the Nation’s Health

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:45:00 BST

Blog by Dr Linsay Gray, Senior Investigator Scientist for Measurement and analysis of socioeconomic inequalities in health, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and Diarmid Campbell-Jack, Research Director (Health), ScotCen Social Research

screenshot of the Understanding Health Research homepage, 768x600px
screenshot of the Understanding Health Research homepage, 768x600px

Launching a tool to help non-scientists with Understanding Health Research: one month on

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:41:00 BST

A month ago, we launched Understanding Health Research, an online resource designed to help guide non-scientists through the process of understanding and appraising a piece of published health research.

photograph of the Scottish Parliamentary Buildings taken from Arthur's Seat; 768x512px
photograph of the Scottish Parliamentary Buildings taken from Arthur's Seat; 768x512px

Why we need parenting support work in our Young Offender Institutions

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 13:07:00 BST

I have been inspired by a wonderful evening at a recent parliamentary reception I was invited to take part in celebrating the Year of the Dad at the Scottish Parliament. The event, sponsored by MSP Gordon MacDonald, launched a DVD of the young dads currently in Polmont Young Offenders Institution, dressed as characters from the children’s story The Gruffalo and talking about what fatherhood means to them.

How engaging communities could address gay men’s health inequalities

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:02:00 BST

Dr Lisa McDaid, Programme Leader for Social Relationships and Health Improvement, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and Professor Paul Flowers, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit offer some critical reflections from their joint research.

photograph of some of the HelpMeDoIt team (Juliana Pugmire, Sharon Simpson, Olga Utkina-Macaskill, Lynsay Matthews) 768x672px
photograph of some of the HelpMeDoIt team (Juliana Pugmire, Sharon Simpson, Olga Utkina-Macaskill, Lynsay Matthews) 768x672px

Can apps help people lose weight? Thoughts from the HelpMeDoIt study

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:48:00 BST

You’re probably one of the 76% of UK adults that own a smartphone. Like more than half of us, do you also reach to check your phone within 5 minutes of waking? I do. Before leaving for work I typically check the news, text messages, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Once on the bus to work I then check work emails and calendar appointments, mentally forming a plan of action for the day ahead.