Research topic

Non-communicable diseases

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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the killer number one worldwide and responsible for almost 4 out of 5 deaths globally.

NCDs are the result of a combination of multiple complex factors including genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural dimensions. Central to our approach is the analysis of the intersection of the multiple factors contributing to the current burden of NCDs, locally, regionally, and globally.

Our research brings together quantitative and qualitative methods to understand how we can improve the prevention and control of NCDs and ensure a reduction in premature mortality as well understand the driver of within and between country inequalities. We work closely with regional, national, and international stakeholders to ensure our research focus is linked with real-world needs and can be used to support decision making processes.

The School of Life Sciences conducts a wide range of research relating to cancer diagnosis and treatment, including less invasive screening for cervical cancer screening, by improved detection of human papilloma virus, the development of microrobots for targeted stem cell delivery and cancer treatment, and next-generation liquid biopsies for early-stage cancer detection. In the Department of Psychology researchers have focussed on understanding the psychosocial aspects of the uptake of cancer screening.

The Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing (IPHW) is a key partner working with the World Heart Federation (WHF) on the development of the World Heart Observatory, providing the scientific knowledge to understand the burden of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors. Experts in the School of Health and Social Care are using advanced epidemiological techniques to explore inequalities in cardiometabolic risk factors, the spatial distribution of breast cancer incidence, the link between mental health and cardiovascular diseases, and the lived experience of women with congenital heart conditions in the transition to menopause. The Essex Law School brings together public health and national, EU and international law, with a focus on consumer protection, trade and human rights law specific to tackling risk factors associated with NCDs and associated health inequalities through legal mechanisms.

Experts in the School of Health and Social Care work with regional stakeholders to improve weight management services; measure inequalities in stroke care; examine the lived experiences of stroke survivors, caregivers, and families; evaluate the use of wearable devices for detection of atrial fibrillation, and the impact of blood pressure monitoring at home. Experts in the Department of Psychology are using neuroscience techniques to investigate and ameliorate the impact of age-related and stroke-related motor control decline.

Experts in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences focus on finding practical solutions to increase physical activity and prevent and rehabilitate non-communicable diseases (NCDs), through practice and policies. Experts in the Department of Psychology and School of Health and Social Care are investigating the burden and management of diabetes including how to improve support for university students with type 1 diabetes.

Dementia, recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an NCD with modifiable risk factors, significantly compromises the life and activities of individuals’ and their families, and is growing public health priority. We conduct diverse research to understand risk and protective factors; early detection; health and social care considerations; the lived experience of persons living with dementia among underserved and vulnerable populations; and policies surrounding dementia care.

Within the IPHW, we work on dementia strategy analysis and modifiable risk factors that may have a bearing on the onset of dementia. Experts in the School of Life Sciences research proteostasis and targeted protein degradation for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease; and epidgenetic mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disroders; and the School of Health and Social Care has research strands on rehabilitation and dementia care.

Research projects

Spatio-temporal disparity of breast cancer incidence in Iran

This project will assess levels and trends (2000-2021) of relative risk of breast cancer incidence at district levels in Iran and their relation to key socioeconomic dimensions, to understand the full extent of geographical and social inequalities in the country associated with breast cancer morbidity.

Researchers

A global analysis of social inequalities in undernutrition and overnutrition between 1975 and 2016

We're exploring the impact of socioeconomic status on under- and over- nutrition over time.

This project includes: Developing a standardised indicator that will enable comparisons of socioeconomic levels across countries to allow stratified risk factor estimates to be made within countries; estimating trends in prevalence of underweight and overweight by sex, age, and country stratified using a comparable socioeconomic indicator.

Researchers

  • Natalie Evans - Postgraduate Research Student in the School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex
  • Dr Honor Bixby - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Prof. Mariachiara Di Cesare - Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Prof. Meena Kumari - Director of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex
  • Bin Zhou - Research Fellow at the School of Public Health, Imperial College London

World Heart Observatory

Data and information are key to understanding needs, trends, causes, responses, and prediction in global cardiovascular health. Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare, Director of the Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing, in partnership with the World Heart Federation are helping the cardiovascular community to play a crucial role in the collection and analysis of that data.

The World Heart Observatory is a knowledge hub that curates, aggregates and visualizes data on cardiovascular conditions, biological risk factors, social determinants of health, health systems and policy responses. The Observatory will inform evidence-based decision-making for health at population level; identify gaps and research needs; develop capacity for cardiovascular disease data collection among the clinical and non-clinical research community and other heart health organizations; and create a forum for research and debate on cardiovascular health. 

Further information can be found here.

Researchers

  • Dr Shadi Rahimzadeh - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Dr Honor Bixby - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Prof. Mariachiara Di Cesare - Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Sean Taylor - Director of Science and Public Health, World Heart Federation
  • Pablo Perel - Senior Science Advisor, World Heart Federation

Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular health in low- and middle-income countries

This project will systematically review the evidence of the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular outcomes in low- and middle-income countries with the aim of identifying mechanisms, data gaps and possible interventions.

Researchers

  • Dr Shadi Rahimzadeh - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Prof. Mariachiara Di Cesare - Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Sean Taylor - Director of Science and Public Health, World Heart Federation
  • Pablo Perel - Senior Science Adviser, World Heart Federation
  • Dr Mark Miller - Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh
  • Prof Anoop Shah - Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Evaluating the impact of the Suffolk & North East Essex Atrial Fibrillation Remote Monitoring Pilot

This project will evaluate the Suffolk & North East Essex Atrial Fibrillation Remote Monitoring Pilot using a mixed method approach to assess the outcomes of the pilot and gain insights into how the process has worked for patients and professionals.

Researchers


Evaluation of Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board BP@HOME Scheme

High blood pressure can have serious health risks, but regular monitoring at a GP surgery can be difficult for patients to fit in around other responsibilities, while adding pressure to GP appointment lists. The NHS has trialled home monitoring by giving blood pressure monitors to use at home. Patients can check their blood pressure and log the results online, allowing healthcare providers to monitor them remotely.

Our team will provide an overview of the BP@Home Programme and understand the benefit of blood pressure monitoring at home for user and health system.

Researchers

  • Tracey Johns - Senior Research Officer in the School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex
  • Dr Shadi Rahimzadeh - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Prof. Mariachiara Di Cesare - Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex

Improving weight management services in Essex County to increase their effectiveness

This project will evaluate and improve the existing available services for weight loss and increasing the number of overweight individuals who lose weight and sustain weight-loss in the long-term.

Researchers

National Screening programmes

Health screening (for example, screening for bowel cancer, breast cancer or cervical cancer) seeks to identify signs of disease or pre-disease early in order to intervene to reduce the chances of developing disease or to reduce its consequences.

Prof Sheina Orbell and colleagues in the Department of Psychology, working in partnership with Public Health England and Scotland, have shown that for many people whose lives are disadvantaged, screening is scary because the short-term risks of taking up the offer loom larger than the longer term benefits it might provide. This means that people who could most benefit from screening are least likely to take-up the screening offers.

Researchers have been working on ways to use public health communications to increase uptake of screening amongst those who are more economically disadvantaged or from minority ethnic groups.

Dementia Strategy Analysis

This project aims to make a comparative analysis of dementia strategies across selected countries of Europe. To examine the extent to which:

  1. the dementia strategy of England, and
  2. the dementia strategy of Essex, Southend and Thurrock

are informed by the Global Action Plan 2017-2025. To examine the provisions for dementia care in the Global Action Plan and dementia strategies of England, and Essex, Southend and Thurrock.

Researchers

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