This groundbreaking initiative, led by the University of Nottingham in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, aims to revolutionise the way research is used in public health planning and delivery, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable society.
Despite the wealth of existing research, its translation into effective public health interventions often falls short. This stems from how organisations struggle to discover and implement new research findings in practice. KNOW-PH addresses this critical gap by establishing a dedicated team of experts committed to bridging the divide between research and practice.
Andy Tattersall, of the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, said: "Communicating important public health knowledge to diverse, busy and sometimes seldom heard and unsupported groups can be challenging. By employing a mixed methods approach using innovative communications and creative platforms, we ultimately aim to get impactful research to those who will most benefit from it."
Dr Liz Such from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, is leading the project. She said: "We are delighted that we have received this vital funding from NIHR to progress with KNOW-PH. The group will bring together people working in universities, local government, the voluntary sector and creative industries to help improve the delivery of public health services."
Dr Such added: "Everyone within the group has experience of public health and health inequalities and will use novel, creative ideas to help turn evidence into action. We will work with people who will benefit most from the work we do."
At the heart of KNOW-PH's mission lies a comprehensive and creative approach to sharing knowledge. This involves the development, design and implementation of innovative methods to support local and national governments to harness research outputs and make informed decisions. With a specific focus on tackling health inequalities, KNOW-PH will strive to ensure that the benefits of research reach all communities, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background.
The KNOW-PH consortium brings together a diverse range of experts, including researchers, public health practitioners, and local government representatives.
The project is a collaboration between the universities of Nottingham, Sheffield, and Sheffield Hallam University with partners AFRUCA Safeguarding Children and City of Doncaster Council.
Dr Such added: "This collaborative approach ensures that the project's outcomes align with real-world challenges and with the needs of the public health community. The team will create training materials, animations, podcasts, short videos, toolkits and infographics which they will share with people from local governments and members of the public."
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About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
- Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care
- Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services
- Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research
- Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges
- Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system
- Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low- and middle-income countries
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low- and middle-income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.