5.1
Lifestyle and health
Keywords
Lifestyle, culture, obesity, addiction, smoking, food
choices
Expertise
So many factors play a part in influencing an individual’s
health: their family, geographic location, access to
amenities and socio-economic status. But how do these
factors influence the susceptibility to communicable and
non-communicable diseases? What impact do they have
on the early detection of illness, the treatment received
and the patient prognosis? All are critical factors in clinical
outcomes and the long-term wellbeing of patients.
Whilst these factors are all individually important, they
are all cultural components. It is clear that the physical
environment and cultural context considerably influence
individuals’ day-to-day lifestyle behaviours through a
process of lifelong learning.
The University has distinct expertise in analysing and
understanding cultural factors which affect lifestyle
choices, including eating, drinking and smoking.
This expertise ranges from quantitative, experimental
studies isolating the processes that underpin addiction
and specific food choices, to the policy environment
around smoking cultures in the workplace. We have also
investigated the commercial promotion of high fat, salt
and foods to children through marketing and branding.
Our research informs numerous smoking awareness
campaigns and clinical intervention programmes. We
have provided research and consultancy related to:
•
The impact of legislation on smoking and
gendered health
•
The acceptability and feasibility of clinician-led
interventions to raise the issue of second-hand
smoke exposure to parents – in collaboration with
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and
Liverpool PCT
•
The effect of training and deployment on smoking
in the Army – in collaboration with Roy Castle Lung
Cancer Foundation and the Ministry of Defence
•
The effectiveness of tobacco control policies
designed to reduce health inequalities
•
The national smoking cessation NHS programme
Routes to Quit
•
National and regional second-hand smoke
campaigns for Smoke Free North West
•
Training for health and social care professionals
around second-hand smoke and smoking during
pregnancy.
We also have renowned expertise in analysing the health
impacts of specific interventions and general changes in
environment. We believe it is essential to understand the
background of individuals before it is possible to
effectively promote any lasting, beneficial changes in
their behaviour.
Our researchers have established close links with local
healthcare providers and work actively with the Liverpool
Primary Care Trust and the City Council on issues such
as obesity, lack of exercise, drinking and smoking.
Our research informs and assesses the impact of health
promotion activities across Merseyside.
We also look at the international interaction of culture,
lifestyle and health. Our specialists work with the World
Health Organisation (at a European and global level) on
key health behaviour issues, seeking to understand the
situational and individual factors which underpin distinct
health behaviours within a cultural context.
Relevant centres and groups
•
The Kissileff Laboratory.
Society & Culture
172
Also see:
Health & Wellbeing –
5.2
Obesity, appetite and diabetes,
page 32
10.
Health, policy and ethics, page 46
5.
Cultures and health
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Arts and leisure
•
Creative industries
•
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
•
Food supply
•
Society and community
•
Transport and infrastructure
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
