Sheffield researchers help lead national scheme to improve health and tackle inequalities

The response to the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for further research in this area as local authorities work to understand the impact of policies they put in place.

The £1.5 million in funding research has been awarded to a collaboration led by Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, in partnership with the University of Sheffield, Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow.

READ MORE: Sheffield’s two universities are featured in a top guide about the best learning facilities across the UK

Academics from the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research are part of one of only four teams to evaluate schemes that are happening in local government across the UK.

Professor of Public Health Elizabeth Goyder said: “We are more aware than ever how important it is that researchers in universities work closely with our colleagues in local authorities to understand the impact of the policies and programmes they put in place.

“The response to Covid-19 has shown the real difference we can make when we work together and the challenge now and for the future is to increase our understanding of what works so we can ensure that decisions are based on both local data and the national and international research.”

Professor Goyder is also the academic lead for the Yorkshire and Humber Practice and Research Collaborative (PaRC) which has a mission to bridge the gap between research and public health practice, and links academic institutions with local authority based public health practitioners across the region.

The PaRC team was also involved in bringing two further Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team projects to Yorkshire. Both projects will address important public health priorities for the region: tackling obesity and drugs and alcohol misuse. The projects will explore the impact of the remote provision of drugs and alcohol services in Leeds and the introduction of advertising restrictions to reduce exposure to adverts for food that are high in fat, salt and sugar on the transport system across Yorkshire.

FROM THE EDITOR

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subsc ription s so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.