Improving health and reducing inequalities through pioneering research and education.
The Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems is one of the largest in the UK and has a world-leading status for its excellence in research and education. Underpinning all our activities is the social model of health and its application to health inequalities and health and social care systems.
We are examining how to improve systems that promote, protect, and sustain health, prevent disease, and care for the sick, with a focus on addressing inequalities in the social determinants of health.
Our researchers use advanced methods to evaluate and promote effective, equitable, and cost-efficient health policies. Their work has shaped UK sugar and salt reduction efforts and EU transfats regulations.
We are leading efforts to reduce the disease burden from air pollution, informing climate and health policies in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 700,000 people die annually from energy-related pollution.
SOPHIC addresses key challenges in population health advances social science approaches through interdisciplinary research, and focuses on (bio)social inquiry and diverse methodologies.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is an essential programme if you are working in any area of public health: governmental organisations; health services management; policy and planning; housing; transport; or for community groups and NGOs. You can also study some of the course modules as standalone CPD modules.
Offering specialist training for current and aspiring health data scientists, this MSc combines research-focused teaching, training and development in an emerging discipline. The MSc in Health Data Science is supported by Health Data Research UK, the national institute for health data science.
Find out more about options for postgraduate research within the Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems.
Globally 3 billion people rely on polluting solid fuels (wood, charcoal) or kerosene for cooking and heating their homes. Exposure to household air pollution (HAP) from burning these fuels is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in children under 5 years, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in adults and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dissemination of our research through public and ministerial engagement and national media has facilitated transition from reliance on polluting solid fuels to LPG through evidence-based policy and heightened population awareness.
Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and cancers cause over 90% of premature UK deaths; however, most are preventable. Our researchers developed computational models to quantify and compare different prevention policies, successfully advancing food policies such as the UK dietary salt reduction targets, sugary drinks tax, along with EU and WHO policies to eliminate industrial transfats from the world's food supplies.
Children are under-represented in clinical trials of life saving treatments as research in emergency settings is practically and ethically challenging. Researchers from the University of Liverpool provided new evidence to inform how consent should be sought for children’s critical care trials. The resulting guidance has since facilitated vital trials to provide evidence to optimise treatments for critically ill patients, including eight trials involving over 1000 children.
Head of Department
Joint Research and Impact Lead
Joint Research and Impact Lead
EDIW lead
PHPS Events and Forum lead
Communication and Engagement lead
PGR lead
Education Lead
Our local and global partnerships provide vital support to our research activity.
