MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit

Line illustration of a group of people sitting down and talking
Line illustration of a group of people sitting down and talking

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 in gym hall
Children in gym hall

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.

Granddad and child in park
Granddad and child in park

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.

Great Britain map with rising plot line
Great Britain map with rising plot line

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.

A photo of a busy shopping street in Brazil
A photo of a busy shopping street in Brazil

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.

Town centre in Scotland
Town centre in Scotland

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 with blood pressure manometer, sphygmomanometer.
Measuring blood pressure with blood pressure manometer, sphygmomanometer.

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.

Human chain paper with light and shadow on wood table. 700 pixels
Human chain paper with light and shadow on wood table. 700 pixels

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.

Group adults walking and chatting
Group adults walking and chatting

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.

Rooftop view of old houses in London with grey sky and clouds. 700 pixels
Rooftop view of old houses in London with grey sky and clouds. 700 pixels

“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.

No smoking sign brick wall for news story
No smoking sign brick wall for news story

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.

Older people communicating on laptop
Older people communicating on laptop

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.

School pupils in classroom with male teacher at front
School pupils in classroom with male teacher at front

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.

RSE Fellowships for seven UofG researchers
RSE Fellowships for seven UofG researchers

£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.

Blurred photo of alcohol bottles on a shop shelf
Blurred photo of alcohol bottles on a shop shelf

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.

Equally Safe at School logo
Equally Safe at School logo

Engagement Awards success

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:28:00 GMT

Two Unit research projects recognised in College Engagement Awards.