Public Health Psychology and Prevention
Our research group is using public health and health psychology methods and perspectives to understand a wide range of population health behaviours, health outcomes, and preventative strategies.
The link between health outcomes and social inequalities is strong and persistent and is often explained by wider determinants; or the broader socioeconomic, cultural and environmental conditions which impact on an individual’s physical, social and psychological resources over the life course.
Working in partnership with local authorities, the NHS and advocacy and community groups, our research focuses on preventing ill health and improving health outcomes across a diverse range of projects.
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Audited
The AUDITED project is a collaboration between the Universities of Westminster, Sussex and Southampton and is in partnership with Positive East charity who have designed and piloted an automated chatbot, called Pat, to improve knowledge of STIs/HIV and promote online screening services.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Third Australian Study of Health and Relationships
The Third Australian study of Health and Relationships (ASHR3) will be used to inform and evaluate national sexual and reproductive health strategies.
Learn more about the project here >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Masculinities and sexual risk among bisexual men
This study explores how the intersection of gender identity and sexuality influences sexual risk taking. It focuses on the experiences of bisexual men: a minoritised sexual orientation often overlooked and marginalised from both mainstream heterosexual culture and gay communities.
Learn more about the project here >
Abstinence challenges and longer-term behaviour change
In recent years, abstinence challenges have become increasingly popular. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the UK take part in challenges such as Meat Free Monday, Dry January, Stoptober, and Veganuary. Our research into such campaigns has helped to explain why people engage with these challenges, how they make use of campaign resources, and what the short- and longer-term consequences are for health and wellbeing.
Learn more about the project here >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Sexual health care for autistic women
There is a need for better understanding of autistic women's experiences of menstruation and menopause, and sexual wellbeing more broadly. The findings from this study will help provide an educational toolkit for health care professionals to help them to better address autistic women's healthcare needs.
Learn more about the project here >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
World Health Organization Sexual Health Survey
This is the first global consensus on a sexual and reproductive health survey instrument that can be used to generate cross-national comparative data in both high-income and LMICs.
Learn more about the project here >
Evaluating the Home-based Intervention Strategy (HIS-UK) to reduce chlamydia infection among young men
The UK Home-Based Intervention Strategy (HIS-UK) is a behaviour change condom promotion intervention for young men designed to enhance enjoyment of condom-protected intercourse, improve attitudes towards condoms, improve the correct and consistent use of condoms, and thereby reduce the risk of STIs.
Learn more about the project here >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Unlocking data
The Unlocking Data project aims to inform public health policy and practice in Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) by exploring barriers, and creating solutions, for public health intelligence using integrated datasets.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Resilience
Resilience+ is a research and advocacy initiative led by BSMS and the Beyond LIVING partnership of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International Community of Women living with HIV (ICW) and the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE >
Living well with HIV
This project aims to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV by increasing access to mental health services across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Hopeful
Developing a hope-focused intervention to prevent mental health problems and improve social outcomes for young women who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Learn more about the project here >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Dementia Risk Prediction in Areas of Social Deprivation
The UK Government has called for more research into ways of identifying people who do not yet have dementia but have a high chance of developing it, so that early interventions can be developed to reduce their risk. The Alzheimer’s Research UK charity recently funded a research team at The University of Manchester to develop a dementia risk assessment algorithm (calculating tool) “DemCheck” for use in GP practices.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE >
Intervention for student carer mental health and wellbeing
Student carers are disadvantaged with respect to both their health and wellbeing and their academic achievements, experiencing mental health problems and difficulty negotiating their student-carer identity. The overarching aim of this project is to co-produce a sustainable mental health and wellbeing intervention for student carers.
Learn more about the project here >
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Health Counts 2024
Health Counts is a survey of health and lifestyles in Brighton and Hove that comes around just once every ten years. The survey asks questions about the health and lifestyle issues local people experience in different parts of Brighton and Hove.
Learn more about the project here >