Health and wellbeing

We're EXPLORING Life as It's Lived

We're developing new ways to understand and manage the health and wellbeing of people around the world

The research in our Health and Wellbeing theme aims to manage health, disease and disability through technological, creative and scientific developments.

Under Professor Gordon Blunn's directorship – and in partnership with Portsmouth Hospital Trust – we develop and test our technologies in real settings, and work to understand the mechanisms underlying health and disease.

Our research areas

Many of the University's research areas deal directly with issues of health and wellbeing, including:

Health and Social Care

Our research deals with the most-pressing health and wellbeing issues facing society – from the challenges of caring for an ageing population, to the importance of delivering effective health and social care to the most under-represented, vulnerable or isolated groups in society.

two radiographer speaking to each other in hospital

Health informatics

We're improving the design of computer systems and wellbeing services to make the delivery of healthcare more efficient and cost-effective, and we're exploring how technology can influence lifestyle choices and reduce health risks.

doctor studying vitals on tablet computer

Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences

We're growing our understanding of how the body functions in health, how it malfunctions in disease, and the genetic and molecular drivers of physical and mental illnesses to find new, more effective treatments for patients.

Male student studying in a lab at a microscope

Dental and Oral Health

Our Dental and Oral Health research contributes to the development of evidence-based health care for patients and the wider community, and towards the high-quality education of the dental team.

Dental professionals working in a dental surgery

Biological Sciences

We're exploring how life on Earth has evolved over time, the huge ecological consequences of human activity, and the growing threat posed by antibiotic resistance.

Psychology

We're exploring topics from child development of social skills and eye witness testimony, to the evolution of primate facial expressions and the factors affecting drug use.

Sport and Exercise Science

We're focused on enhancing human performance and health – from helping elite sports men and women to win Olympic medals, to developing safety guidelines for sporting bodies, and improving the quality of life of individuals living with chronic disease.

Research features

Explore our features for a snapshot of our recent research work in this research theme.

How an innovative new therapy could revolutionise Facial Palsy treatment

Dr Hui Yu

An elderly person examining their face in a handheld mirror

Zebrafish could help more smokers quit and save thousands of lives

Dr Matt Parker

Professor Jim Briggs

Developing technology that can help save lives