Public Health and Communities Research

CRIPACC is involved in a range of research projects with relevance to public health. Primarily these relate to considering the factors or practices that support or challenge communities to stay healthy and well and working with different populations to better understand their everyday lives. Academics in CRIPACC have also led or been part of the development or evaluation of interventions regarding weight management, exercise and physical activity. Mainly work by this group, relates to the primary prevention of poor health or wellbeing, though understanding how to prevent populations from experiencing further complications or co-morbidities is increasingly an area CRIPACC is involved in researching. Below are some examples of recent and current projects. All of the work conducted by this group feeds into the Herts Public Health Connect website, jointly organised with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to showcase research, training and events relating to public health.

Addressing childhood obesity

CLAHRC East of England are funding this project, led by Prof Wendy Wills and Dr Elspeth Mathie, which aims to work with young people in Hertfordshire to co-develop strategies that would address levels of childhood obesity in the county. Inspired by the Amsterdam ’10 pillars’ approach, the work will enable young people and service providers to consider the wider determinants of obesity.

Evaluation of the Hertfordshire Social Work Partnership – Phase 1

For information about this project please contact Prof Kathryn Almack

Evaluation of the Schools Mental Health programme

For information about the Schools Mental Health Programme please contact Prof Wendy Wills

Exercise and alcohol – does an exercise programme benefit people addicted to alcohol?

The Active over Alcohol project is funded by Bart’s Health and is led by Queen Mary University of London. This is a feasibility study involving a 12-week programme of structured education and exercise for people referred through drug and alcohol services in East London. For information about this project please contact Prof Wendy Wills

Evaluation of the Shape Up programme

Shape Up was developed by Watford Football Club’s Community, Sports and Education Trust to address sedentary behaviour among men living with obesity. The programme involves a 12-week programme of structured education and exercise. CRIPACC led a qualitative evaluation of Shape Up. For information about this project please contact Prof Wendy Wills