Current projects

A list of all projects currently being undertaken by the Health Equity and Inclusion Group.

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E

Evaluating the NHS England Complications of Excess Weight services for children and young people (ENHANCE)

In 2021/22, NHS England set up 21 Complications of Excess Weight (CEW) services across England, this number was increased to 43 clinics in 2024.

The CEW services support children and young people who have complications related to excess weight. Complications include things like type 2 diabetes, difficulty breathing whilst asleep, and low self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.

The CEW services are delivered in many different ways, depending on where you live. NHS England want to learn from these CEW services to understand how they can be improved in the future. 

Chief investigator: Catherine Homer

Funding body: NIHR

View study website


L

Living with housing insecurity

This project aims to explore local authority strategies for reducing housing insecurity among families with children. We will develop a picture of current experiences of housing insecurity, the factors that drive housing insecurity and what information would help local authorities to provide better support to at-risk families.

Chief investigator: Alexis Foster

Funding body: NIHR School for Public Health Research 

View study website

Local public health systems interactions with policy initiatives addressing social and health inequalities

An analysis of how local public health systems interact with complex policy initiatives addressing social and health inequalities

Chief investigator: Emma Halliday, Rebecca Mead, Judith Green

Funding body: NIHR School for Public Health Research 

View study website


R

Reducing alcohol harms during a cost-of-living crisis: evaluating the impact of alcohol duty reforms across Great Britain

This project will evaluate the public health impact of reforms to the way the UK government taxes alcohol, accounting for the ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis. 

It will generate new evidence on: 

  • the extent and nature of impacts on the population overall and on specific population subgroups
  • how differences in alcohol policies across the UK shape those impacts
  • the potential for future policies to enhance or mitigate the impacts

The project will provide new insights for designing alcohol tax policies that are effective, including during periods of economic instability. This includes actionable evidence for policymakers on how to maximise public health benefits and reduce health inequalities while avoiding adverse effects and supporting vulnerable populations.

Chief investigator: John Holmes, Colin Angus

Funding body: NIHR

View study website


S

Supporting the VCSE Paid Workforce

A mutli-case action reseach study exploring how to better support the VCSE paid workforce- many of whom are experiencing health inequalities or workking in contexts affected by inequity

Chief investigator: Hannah Fairbrother

Funding body: NIHR HSDR

View study website


V

Voluntary Sector Evaluation Scheme (VoySES) Discrimination and Health

An innovative pilot to evaluate voluntary sector public health initiatives developed and delivered by communities.

Chief investigator: Hannah Fairbrother

Funding body: NIHR HSDR

View study website


Y

Youth and Low/No Alcohol (YOLA)

This project explores young people's consumption of no/low alcohol drinks in Great Britain with a focus on family settings. Using surveys and interviews, it will investigate adult perceptions, consumption trends, and the relationship between no/low and alcohol use among young people.

Chief investigator: Laura Fenton

Funding body: Alcohol Change UK

View study website

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