MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit

People in Britain had less “risky” sex in the year following the pandemic

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:26:12 BST

New research finds that the lower prevalence of people having condomless sex with multiple or new partners during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, was still evident one year after Britain’s first lockdown.

Impact of loneliness on adolescents’ mental health varies between schools

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:39:00 GMT

Loneliness is strongly linked with poorer mental health in adolescents, with the impact of loneliness on their mental health varying depending on the school they attend.

Many deaths and hospitalisations of children who have experienced care could be avoided

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:21:00 BST

Many hospitalisations and deaths among children and young people who have been in care are completely avoidable, according to a newly published report.

Children living in deprived areas of Scotland twice as likely to experience poor health

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:25:00 BST

Children in poorer areas more at risk of obesity, infant mortality and not receiving childhood immunisations.

Upping green space could narrow lifespan gap between poorest and richest areas

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:15:00 BST

Each 10% increase in natural space linked to 7% fall in early deaths among under 65s.

Over 300,000 'excess' deaths attributed to UK Government austerity policies

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:42:00 BST

New study reports 335,000 additional deaths across Scotland, England & Wales between 2012 and 2019.

New £7 million funding for global health research

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:17:00 BST

A new research unit led by Professor Alastair Leyland aims to improve health outcomes and tackle inequalities in Latin America.

Children in poorest areas encounter off-licences 5 times more frequently than those in wealthiest areas

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:20:00 BST

Children living in the most socially disadvantaged areas are more likely to be exposed to alcohol outlets and for them to be closer to their homes.

Measuring blood pressure in both arms can help reduce cardiovascular risk and hypertension

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 14:30:00 BST

Blood pressure should be measured in both arms and the higher reading should be adopted to improve hypertension diagnosis and management, according to a new study.

High rates of avoidable deaths among most disadvantaged

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:06:00 BST

Homelessness, opioid addiction, involvement in the criminal justice system and psychosis all independently, and jointly linked to early and avoidable deaths.

How do people released from prison use health services?

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 15:32:00 BST

New research will explore how health services can better support people released from prison in a bid to reduce the numbers dying from substance use, overdose, and suicide.

New study to examine social connectedness and physical activity in ageing

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:32:00 BST

A new project led by Prof Sharon Simpson and Dr Emily Long will explore how positive social connections and being active can prevent declining health as we age.

“Levelling up” requires bolder policy response to tackle UK’s regional inequalities in health

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 12:29:00 BST

New analysis of the UK Government’s “Levelling Up” white paper highlights gaps and missed opportunities to address health inequalities.

Adapting and testing a UK smoking prevention intervention

Wed, 04 May 2022 10:57:00 BST

Professor Sharon Simpson is leading a new project to assess whether an intervention called A Stop Smoking In Schools Trial (ASSIST) can be adapted from the UK to the Philippines, China and Indonesia.

How COVID-19 affected the UK's mental health

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 11:45:00 BST

There was a sustained increase in mental distress in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. This did not reverse when lockdown lifted.

Sexual harassment is common in Scotland’s secondary schools

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:04:00 GMT

New study suggests school-based strategies to tackle sexual harassment must engage with the complexity of the issue.

£10 million research hub to boost Glasgow’s transition to climate resilience

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:57:00 GMT

Scientists are to begin work on a large-scale research programme that will help transform Glasgow into a thriving, climate resilient city and support its ambition to reach net zero by 2030.

Lockdown measures linked to an increase in drinking at home

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:58:00 GMT

Lockdown measures throughout 2020 have been linked to people in Scotland and England drinking more at home, according to new research.

Engagement Awards success

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:28:00 GMT

Two Unit research projects recognised in College Engagement Awards.

Covid-19 vaccine protection wanes after three months, study suggests

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 13:27:28 GMT

The protection offered by the Oxford-Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine declines after three months of receiving two doses.

How did lockdown affect people’s sex lives in Britain?

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:38:00 GMT

Younger people and those not living with a partner reported the greatest changes in their sex lives during lockdown.

Widening inequalities in Scottish children’s physical activity

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 14:58:00 GMT

Deprivation-based inequalities in physical activity between Scotland’s children were already growing before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research.

New framework on complex interventions to improve health

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 09:47:00 BST

The Medical Research Council (MRC) / National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) complex intervention research framework has been published today.

Care experienced children have poorer health outcomes

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 16:49:00 BST

Care experienced children in Scotland have poorer health and higher average rates of mortality when compared to children in the general population, according to a new study.

Equally Safe at School

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:38:00 BST

The SPHSU has collaborated with Rape Crisis Scotland to develop Equally Safe at School (ESAS), a whole school approach to responding to gender-based violence.

Impact of COVID-19 on social relationships and health

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 16:11:00 BST

New briefing summarises how social relationships were disrupted by the pandemic.

Third Social Systems Recovery Report (SSR) Environment and Spaces Group Report published today

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 05:00:00 BST

New report published describes COVID-19 green and open space use in Scotland in the Spring of 2021.

New research examines the sources of evidence in e-cigarette policy recommendations

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 15:42:00 BST

New research finds that the evidence which drives public health policy on e-cigarettes often has potentially worrying conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical, e-cigarette and tobacco industries

New rehab programme for people with multiple long-term conditions

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 14:11:00 BST

Researchers in Leicester and the University of Glasgow are developing a new programme to provide exercise-based rehabilitation to people living with multiple long-term health conditions.

Home carers' mental health worsened during lockdown

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 10:31:00 BST

A new study has found the mental health of home-carers deteriorated more during lockdown than non-carers.

Systems Science in Public Health Podcast Episode 3

Thu, 06 May 2021 12:36:00 BST

In this episode, Petra Meier speaks to Robin Purshouse, who is a Professor of Decision Sciences at the University of Sheffield.

New study to examine impact of Universal Credit on mental health and wellbeing

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:47:00 BST

A new study led by the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit will be the first to comprehensively evaluate the impacts and costs of Universal Credit on mental health and health inequalities.

New NIHR-funded project explores how administrative data can be used to improve health in Scotland

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:08:00 BST

A new project led by Dr Emily Tweed and Prof Peter Craig will explore cross-sectoral administrative data and linkage with a focus on socioeconomic and other inequalities, intending to address barriers to, and strengthen, the use of such data in public health practice and research.

Systems Science in Public Health Podcast Episode 2

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:36:00 GMT

In this episode, Petra Meier speaks to Brian Castellani who is a Professor of Sociology at Durham University.

Vaccine hesitancy more likely in young people, women and some ethnic groups

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 11:57:00 GMT

Young people, women and some ethnic groups, including black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups, are less likely to take-up a COVID-19 vaccine when offered, according to new research.

Second Social Systems Recovery (SSR) - Environments and Spaces Group Report published today

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:05:00 GMT

New report published describes green and open space use in Scotland in the Autumn of 2020.

15 Minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast - Did UK tobacco control policies alter inequalities in youth smoking?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:44:00 GMT

New podcast episode featuring Dr Michael Green.

Lockdowns and restrictions reduced time spent in green space and sustained inequalities

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:44:00 GMT

New research finds that there has been a sharp decrease in time spent visiting green spaces following original lockdown restrictions. Inequalities in green space use were also sustained, and may even have been exacerbated, as a result of restrictions of movement in the UK due to the pandemic.

Minimum unit pricing for alcohol targets men’s drinking habits more effectively than women’s

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 13:21:00 GMT

Alcohol pricing policies – such as duty increases and minimum unit pricing – appear to be more effective at reducing consumption and harm for men than women, according to a new study.

New ‘Systems Science in Public Health’ podcast series launched

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 12:36:00 GMT

In this new podcast series, the host Petra Meier will be catching up with scientists, thinkers, policymakers and practitioners who work in this space.

15 Minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast - Children’s Health in Care in Scotland (CHiCS) study

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:44:00 GMT

New podcast episode with researchers from the Children’s Health in Care in Scotland (CHiCS) study.

New COVID-19 engagement tool

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:28:00 GMT

Explore how the Covid-19 response has influenced health and wellbeing across society.

Understanding the individual's response to Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 12:41:00 GMT

New study of factors that influence an individual's drinking, their switching to other substances and/or their seeking treatment, in the context of MUP.

New Scottish study to “REACH” people with heart failure at home

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 13:41:00 GMT

An award winning cardiac rehabilitation programme which helps people living with heart failure improve their quality of life from their own homes is being rolled out in six NHS Scotland Health Boards from this month.

New research project to inform Scotland’s drug deaths response

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 13:49:00 GMT

Researchers from the University of Glasgow are launching a new research project to inform responses to drug-related harms and deaths in Scotland.

Healthcare workers 7 times as likely to have severe COVID-19 as other workers

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 15:50:00 GMT

Healthcare workers were 7 times as likely to have severe COVID-19 infection as those with other types of ‘non-essential’ jobs, finds research published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

15 Minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast - Reducing Health Inequities in the Early Years

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:44:00 GMT

New podcast episode explores WHO's report on reducing inequities in the early years.

Tobacco sales ban near schools cuts licensed shops by 70 per cent

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:35:00 GMT

Banning the sale of cigarettes close to schools and playgrounds would reduce the number of shops allowed to sell tobacco products in Scotland by more than 70 per cent.

Young people recruited to harness smartphones to improve mental health and wellbeing

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 10:25:00 GMT

Young people across Europe are being recruited to a trial to put their smartphone usage to good use, via an app designed to prevent anxiety and depression and improve wellbeing.

New report explores the change in use of green space following COVID-19 lockdown and initial easing of lockdown

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:05:00 BST

A report published today finds that pre-existing socio-economic inequalities in use of green and open spaces may have been made worse by the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions.

Cardiac rehabilitation programme wins BMJ award

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 09:17:00 BST

A home-based rehabilitation programme that could help thousands of people with heart failure to achieve a better quality of life has won a prestigious British Medical Journal (BMJ) award.

Alcohol use increased during lockdown, but smoking declined

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 07:44:00 BST

Smoking declined, but adverse alcohol use generally increased during the UK’s coronavirus ‘lockdown’, according to new research.

New scheme to support evaluation of local authority interventions

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:21:00 BST

New scheme aims to create rapid research evidence to maximise Local Authority influence on health and inequalities.

Professor Shona Hilton joins Scottish Obesity Alliance

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 14:04:00 BST

The Unit's Deputy Director, Professor Shona Hilton, is the new Interim Chair of the Scottish Obesity Alliance.

Professor Vittal Katikireddi awarded £1.3m in prestigious ERC Starting Grant

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 16:32:00 BST

Public health doctor, Professor Vittal Katikireddi has been awarded more than £1.3m in a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant.

Read our July 2020 newsletter

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:39:10 BST

Our newsletter contains an update on our COVID-19 related research, as well as our latest news, publications, blogs and events.

Loneliness in young people increased during lockdown, poll finds

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 09:09:00 BST

The number of young people feeling lonely was three times higher during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown levels, a survey suggests.

Air in Scotland’s prisons 90% cleaner, due to smoke-free policy

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 11:36:00 BST

People who live and work in prisons now protected from second-hand smoke.

Are condom and contraception services meeting young people's needs?

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 12:34:00 BST

Scotland-wide survey seeks to shed light on why young people may be less likely to use some forms of contraception and condoms than five years ago.

Rights of children overlooked during COVID emergency

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 17:27:00 BST

SPHSU researchers involved in Independent Children's Rights Assessment on the response to Covid-19 in Scotland.

Sleep awareness week for schools

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:28:00 BST

Researchers at the University of Glasgow are running the first virtual ‘Sleep in Schools’ week.

Black and Asian groups are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection

Tue, 26 May 2020 13:50:00 BST

Black and south Asian ethnic groups in the UK appear to be at higher risk of COVID-19, as well as hospitalisation with the disease.

Research into health benefits of green space receives funding

Tue, 26 May 2020 13:31:00 BST

Impacts of quality green space in cities has received funding from the UKRI-NHMRC.

WHO report reveals UK adolescents experience mental health concerns

Tue, 19 May 2020 10:13:00 BST

The International Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) report compiles data on the health and social wellbeing of adolescents from 45 countries.

Petra Meier appointed as Professor of Public Health

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:04:00 BST

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Petra Meier as Professor of Public Health.

Read our April 2020 newsletter

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:05:00 BST

Our newsletter contains an update from our Director, as well as our latest news, research and events.

Raise price of cheap cigarettes to lower health risk

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 12:34:00 GMT

Minimum tobacco pricing could significantly improve the health of people living in Scotland’s most economically disadvantaged areas, experts say.

£500,000 NIHR grant for obesity treatment

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 13:59:00 GMT

BE:COME project awarded half a million pounds by the National Institute for Health Research to examine the effectiveness of NHS and local government interventions to treat obesity.

New project to study the health of care experienced children in Scotland

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Project will provide the first comprehensive national level evidence on the health of care-experienced children in Scotland.

New short animation highlights the impact of parental imprisonment on children

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 09:11:00 GMT

Jessica Moran’s PhD research evaluates ways of supporting families affected by parental imprisonment.

Mobile screen exposure can lead to poor sleep among young people

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:16:00 GMT

Mobile phone use at night time is having a negative impact on young people’s sleep and mental wellbeing according to a newly published report.

New ESRC-funded project explores loneliness and wellbeing among adolescents and young adults

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 09:33:00 GMT

Dr Emily Long has been awarded one of three new secondary data analysis project collaborations with What Works Centre for Wellbeing.

E-cigarettes may be helping disadvantaged smokers to quit

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:56:00 GMT

New research also confirms that low numbers of young people are using e-cigarettes, with vaping more common in young people from disadvantaged households who had never smoked before.

Read our January 2020 newsletter

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 11:41:00 GMT

Read about our latest research, events and opportunities.

National adolescent study reveals insights into child mental health in Scotland

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 15:41:00 GMT

The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Scotland, led by SPHSU researchers, provides data on the health and wellbeing of the nation's young people.

A simple dose of antibiotics: sepsis reporting in UK newspapers

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:35:00 GMT

New research has found that the media presents deaths from sepsis as easily avoidable by prescribing antibiotics, without acknowledging the health risks associated with their overuse.

Poor sexual health more common in British women than men

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 10:04:00 GMT

Poor sexual health is more common in women and affects them in more diverse ways than men, according to a new SPHSU study.

Creative Insights: Understanding young people’s perspectives on health inequalities

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 14:28:00 GMT

SPHSU project will explore young people’s perspectives on health inequalities and produce creative outputs to inform policymakers.

Active travel to school – does distance and walkability matter?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 14:52:00 GMT

A new SPHSU study has found that the distance from home and the walkability of the neighbourhood are both associated with whether children walk, scoot or cycle to school.

Screens at mealtimes and in children’s bedrooms linked to weight gain

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 16:22:00 GMT

Study suggests promoting mealtimes in a screen-free dining area and removing screens from bedrooms may help combat childhood obesity.

Success at SPARC for Children Create

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:06:00 GMT

The Children Create project team presented at the Scottish Physical Activity Research Conference in Edinburgh on 6th November, where Dr Paul McCrorie was awarded best oral presentation.

Physical activity interventions should start earlier in childhood

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 08:58:00 GMT

New research involving the SPHSU, has found that children are spending less time being physically active, with a greater decline among girls compared with boys.

What does the mental wellbeing of people in Scottish prisons look like?

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 10:02:00 BST

A new study led by the SPHSU alongside colleagues from ISD Scotland, is the first to describe the mental wellbeing of people in prison in Scotland.

Understanding young people's condom and contraception use

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:05:00 BST

New project seeks to understand factors influencing young people’s acquisition and use of condoms and contraception.

Unit co-signs letter calling for restrictions on unhealthy food promotions

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:27:00 BST

Scottish Obesity Alliance calls on the First Minister to introduce regulation to restrict price promotions to curb obesity crisis.

Children Create - physical activity project

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 16:14:00 BST

Communicating physical activity-related evidence to children and teachers.

Read our summer 2019 newsletter

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 11:41:00 BST

Our latest newsletter is out now.

White Scots have poorer health than many other ethnic groups

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:40:00 BST

A new study has found that White Scottish people are more likely to rate their health as bad and experience higher socioeconomic inequalities in health than many other ethnic groups.

Children from deprived areas six times more exposed to tobacco retail

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 14:58:00 BST

Children from the most income deprived areas experienced similar exposure to tobacco retailing in one day as children from the least income deprived areas experience in one week.

How intimate are Generation Z young teenagers?

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 12:02:00 BST

Fewer than one in 30 14-year-olds in the UK have had sexual intercourse or oral sex – less than previous studies may have suggested.

Research Culture Award for Dr Amy Nimegeer

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 09:41:00 BST

Dr Amy Nimegeer is one of four University of Glasgow researchers to be awarded the first ever Research Culture Award.

Unit shares in funding for leading disease prevention projects

Wed, 08 May 2019 14:09:00 BST

Two Unit projects have gained awards in the first ever round of funding by the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP).

Prison tobacco ban significantly reduces second-hand smoke

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 14:27:00 BST

Levels of second-hand smoke in Scotland's prisons fell by more than 80% in the week after smoking was banned.

What challenges do young people face when looking for sexual health information online?

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 11:03:00 GMT

A new study provides insights into some of the key barriers and challenges faced by young people in accessing and engaging with sexual health information online.

Scant evidence that e-cigarette growth linked to ‘renormalisation’ of teen smoking

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:07:00 BST

There is little evidence that the rapid growth of largely unregulated e-cigarettes between 2011 and 2015 was associated with the ‘renormalisation’ of smoking among teens, reveals research published in Tobacco Control.

Living in a stressful neighbourhood is biologically ageing

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 11:43:00 BST

Living in a stressful neighbourhood is related to ageing faster, according to new research using telomeres as a marker for biological ageing. Telomeres are part of people’s DNA which give a measure of ‘miles on the clock,’ or biological age.

Sexual satisfaction among older people about more than just health

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 10:56:00 GMT

Health care workers need to take a holistic approach that considers lifestyles and needs when discussing sexual problems with older people.

What is 'on the ground' in a city linked to levels of inequality in life satisfaction

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:22:00 GMT

Cities which have a balance between facilities, housing and natural green spaces have a smaller gap in life satisfaction between richer and poorer residents, according to new research.

Funding secured for fourth wave of the internationally-renowned National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 13:48:00 GMT

The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles begins its fourth study on sexual health and well-being in Britain, led by researchers from UCL in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the University of Glasgow and NatCen Social Research.

Restrictive migration policies contributing to poor migrant health in high-income countries

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 15:20:00 GMT

Restrictive entry and integration policies are having an adverse effect on the health of migrants in high-income countries, according to the most comprehensive assessment of the impact of general migration policies on migrant health, published in The Lancet Global Health journal.

Inequality of life expectancy in Scotland

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 08:37:00 GMT

A new study has found that, despite reductions in premature death rates in Scotland over the last 30 years, rates in the most deprived areas in 2011 remained higher than in the least deprived areas in 1981.

ARISE hub – Accountability in urban health

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 11:06:00 GMT

The Unit is collaborating with global universities and organisations on ARISE: Accountability and Responsiveness in Informal Settlements for Equity, the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Hub.

Does provision of nearby physical activity facilities mean people exercise more?

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:21:00 GMT

A new study has found that working adults’ exercise frequency was higher where they lived and worked in closer proximity to private sports halls, gyms and swimming pools, compared with public facilities. Many more physical activity facilities were accessible near people’s workplaces compared with their homes.

SHINE website launches

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:00:00 GMT

SHINE website launches

Read our December 2018 Newsletter

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 08:55:00 GMT

Read our December 2018 newsletter.

Media coverage of the sugar debate

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:49:00 GMT

Analysis of how UK newspapers presented the sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages policy debate suggests that media representation was frequently supportive of sugar tax and this may have played a role in shaping its acceptability.

Prof Rich Mitchell recognised in Global Highly Cited Researchers 2018 list

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:13:00 GMT

Prof Rich Mitchell recognised in Global Highly Cited Researchers 2018 list

NIHR funded study led by Professor Alastair Leyland to evaluate minimum alcohol unit pricing policy

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 08:36:00 GMT

NIHR funded study led by Professor Alastair Leyland to evaluate minimum alcohol unit pricing policy

TRIUMPH Network launches

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 09:52:00 GMT

The TRIUMPH Network has officially launched with a brand new website.

Universal basic income - new scoping review published

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:08:00 BST

The first comprehensive scoping review of 28 studies of ten interventions which unconditionally provided substantial cash transfers to individuals or families.

Read our September 2018 newsletter

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 15:37:00 BST

MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Newsletter, September 2018

Prof Lisa McDaid leads one of eight Mental Health Networks announced by UKRI

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:45:00 BST

Eight new Mental Health Networks have been announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) today, Thursday 6th September 2018, to bring researchers, charities and other organisations together to address important mental health research questions.

97% reduction in second-hand smoke exposure

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:03:00 BST

There has been a dramatic reduction in second-hand smoke exposure since 1998 and evidence of continuing improvements even in the decade after the smoking ban.

Why men say they’ve had more lifetime sexual partners than women

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 11:53:00 BST

The disparity between the number of sexual partners reported by men and women can largely be explained by a tendency among men to report extreme numbers of partners, and to estimate rather than count their lifetime total, a new study in The Journal of Sex Research finds.

Health in the news: fact or fiction?

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 15:54:00 BST

A "Question Time" style debate tackling these and related issues, hosted by the unit, will take place at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on 14 June, 6-8pm, as part of the MRC Festival of Medical Research.

Highest number of alcohol and fast food outlets clustered in deprived areas

Tue, 08 May 2018 15:32:00 BST

There are more alcohol, fast food, tobacco and gambling outlets in the most deprived areas of Glasgow compared with more affluent areas, according to new research by the Unit.

Project investigating the relationships between mental health problems and employment outcomes receives funding from The Health Foundation

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:33:00 BST

The Health Foundation has selected six research projects to take part in its new £2 million Social and Economic Value of Health programme.

Grandparent behaviour appears to have a negative impact on children’s long-term cancer risks

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:00:00 GMT

The behaviour of grandparents may inadvertently be having a negative impact on the health of their grandchildren, according to a new study.‌‌

Death rates differ over three-fold between occupational groups

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 10:09:00 BST

People who work in factories, construction and in housekeeping jobs are the occupational groups that have the highest mortality rates, according to a new study.

Non-employment in older age is associated with feeling isolated & under-utilised

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 00:00:00 BST

Compared to those who work, older people who are retired, home-makers, unemployed, or not working because of sickness or disability are more likely to feel that their status results in lower self-esteem.

Health benefits from lone parents welfare to work policies unlikely

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 07:00:00 BST

Improvements in health have been used to justify mandating employment for lone parents, but new research shows that their health is unlikely to improve under these measures.

New Funding for Global Health Research

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 09:00:00 BST

The Department of Health has announced that an MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit led project is one of 33 successful recipients of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Fund to establish new Global Health Research Units and Groups.

Poverty linked to increased harm from alcohol

Wed, 10 May 2017 23:31:00 BST

Drinking heavily is disproportionately harmful for the poorest in society, with a greater risk of dying or becoming ill due to alcohol consumption.

RSE Fellowships for seven UofG researchers

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Seven University of Glasgow researchers have been announced among the newest Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Nearly one in 10 British women experience painful sex linked to poorer sexual, physical and mental health

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Nearly one in 10 of British women are experiencing painful sex (dyspareunia), according to a new study published today.

Distressing sexual problems reported by at least one in ten young people in Britain

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:00:00 BST

Climaxing, erectile dysfunction and lack of interest in sex are main issues, with young people rarely seeking professional help. Around one in ten young men and one in eight young women in Britain who are sexually active have experienced a distressing sexual problem lasting at least three months in the past year, according to new research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Is it good research? New online tool launched to help people tell good science from bad

Mon, 08 Aug 2016 09:00:00 BST

What's the difference between good and bad quality research? Why do the findings in one study appear to contradict the results in another? Which piece of expert advice should I really trust? Now academics behind a new online tool that will help people “ask the right questions” and “understand and evaluate” health research, hope to change that.

Significant increase in E-cigarette use in Scotland

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:00:00 BST

The 2015 Scottish Health Survey, shows a significant increase since 2014 in the proportion of adults who currently use e-cigarettes.

Portrayal of women’s drinking habits in the media offers biased, judgemental view

Wed, 28 Dec 2016 09:00:00 GMT

Women who binge drink are depicted more negatively by the media than men who do the same thing, according to new research.