News from PHR

NIHR Public Health Research programme first project launches

News release from NETSCC, Public Health Research

14 January 2010

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme announces the start of its first funded project which evaluates the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) ‘Campaign for School Gardening’.  The project, led by Professor Janet Cade at the University of Leeds, will run over three years and will evaluate whether the RHS campaign increases intake of fruit and vegetables in primary school children.

The national health research strategy Best Research for Best Health included public health research as a target for investment and emphasised the contribution it could make to improving health.  In response to this, the NIHR Public Health Research programme was established in autumn 2008 to provide new knowledge on the benefits, costs, acceptability and wider effect of non-NHS interventions.  It has a budget of £10m a year to fund a wide range of research in areas where more evidence is needed.

Professor Catherine Law, NIHR Programme Director of the Public Health Research programme welcomed the start of this project:  “Developing the evidence base for public health interventions outside the healthcare setting is essential if all sectors are to play their part in improving the health of the population.  We have been encouraged by the wide range of research proposals we have received, and the start of this interesting project from the University of Leeds marks a significant milestone for us.”

Commenting on the NIHR funding of the project, Professor Cade said “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Royal Horticultural Society to have a really practical look to see whether school gardening can have a positive influence on what children are eating. Providing our children with healthy environments is a national priority, and one way in which we can tackle factors which are contributing to the high rates of childhood obesity.”  

For more information about the project visit:  http://www.phr.nihr.ac.uk/funded_projects/pdfs/Cade_09_3001_19_web.pdf
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Notes to editors:

1. The Public Health Research (PHR) programme is a research programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).  The PHR programme evaluates public health interventions, providing new knowledge on the benefits, costs, acceptability and wider impacts of non-NHS interventions intended to improve the health of the public and reduce inequalities in health.  The PHR programme was launched in autumn 2008 and has a predicted annual budget of £10m by 2011/12.  The PHR programme is coordinated by the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC), based at the University of Southampton.  www.phr.nihr.ac.uk
2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details:
Gemma House, Programme Manager
Telephone: 02380 59 9695, Email: geh1@soton.ac.uk

Phil Taverner, Assistant Director
Telephone: 02380 595 723, Email: p.j.taverner@soton.ac.uk