Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour Change
Background to the Research Centre for Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour Change
A common question that is salient to the public health agenda is; ‘How can health promotion, disease prevention and treatment efforts be optimised to enhance the health and wellbeing of the nation?’
The major epidemics of long-term conditions now facing us, such as obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer suggest we need to focus our efforts on embracing a strategic shift from treatment to prevention, while also enhancing national wellbeing. It has long been discussed that poor mental health is significantly linked to illness and disease. While a life that is happy and meaningful leads to health enhancement and life satisfaction.
Applying a bio-psycho-social approach to health settings can aid us in assessing barriers and facilitators to maintain health, treat illness, enhance the delivery and evaluation of services and maximise the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions.
Research in this centre is dedicated to three special interest groups in the areas of:
- Sport, Physical Activity and Health Psychology
- Behaviour Change Intervention Design and Communication
- Long-term Conditions
Our research focuses on these aspects at individual, community, national and international levels, with the mission to use behavioural science to enhance population health and wellbeing through the examination of the determinants of behaviour, behaviour change, enhancement of communication skills, health services and health systems, and understanding of health, wellbeing, illness and disease outcomes.
Centre Lead: Professor Angel Chater
Active Partners of the Research Centre
address
School of Sport Science and Physical Activity
Faculty of Education, English and Sport
Bedford campus
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA
UK