Risky Business? The health of young people who are not in education, training, and employment

Published on: Author: Catherine Stewart

by Dr Catherine Stewart, Research Associate with the Measurement and Analysis of Socio-economic Inequalities in Health programme, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit It is now said that one in two people in Great Britain will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Half of us. A startling figure that refocuses efforts to address… Continue reading

Does social class hold clues to patterns of smoking, drinking and psychiatric distress?

Published on: Author: Michael Green

by Dr Michael Green, Research Associate with the Measurement and Analysis of Socio-economic Inequalities in Health programme, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit If I told you that young people who smoke or drink heavily suffer more from anxiety and depression, what explanation might you offer for that? Some might think those with poor… Continue reading

Being a PhD Student

Published on: Author: Ian MacNeill

At the start of the year many are considering the benefits of further study and embarking on a career in research. PhD Student Ian MacNeill, who has just completed his first year with the Unit, reflects on his experiences to offer some advice. By Ian MacNeill, PhD student, researching how interventions delivered by football charities… Continue reading

Surveying the Nation’s Health

Published on: Author: Linsay Gray

by Dr Linsay Gray, Senior Investigator Scientist for Measurement and analysis of socioeconomic inequalities in health, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and Diarmid Campbell-Jack, Research Director (Health), ScotCen Social Research When you hear statements like “one in five people smoke”, or “one in six people are teetotal” you may be tempted to ask… Continue reading

Launching a tool to help non-scientists with Understanding Health Research: one month on

Published on: Author: Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson & Dr Amy Nimegeer Going live A month ago, we launched Understanding Health Research, an online resource designed to help guide non-scientists through the process of understanding and appraising a piece of published health research. The launch gave us an opportunity to discuss the importance of empowering people to engage with health science.… Continue reading

Why we need parenting support work in our Young Offender Institutions

Published on: Author: Katie Buston

I have been inspired by a wonderful evening at a recent parliamentary reception I was invited to take part in celebrating the Year of the Dad at the Scottish Parliament. The event, sponsored by MSP Gordon MacDonald, launched a DVD of the young dads currently in Polmont Young Offenders Institution, dressed as characters from the… Continue reading

How engaging communities could address gay men’s health inequalities

Published on: Author: Lisa McDaid

Dr Lisa McDaid, Programme Leader for Social Relationships and Health Improvement, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and Professor Paul Flowers, Professor of Public Health Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University offer some critical reflections from their joint research. Communities come in various, often contested, shapes and sizes. Communities are often forged on the battleground of… Continue reading

Can apps help people lose weight? Thoughts from the HelpMeDoIt study

Published on: Author: Lynsay Matthews

You’re probably one of the 76% of UK adults that own a smartphone. Like more than half of us, do you also reach to check your phone within 5 minutes of waking? I do. Before leaving for work I typically check the news, text messages, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Once on the bus to work… Continue reading