Author: Claire

By Tom Marshall, Professor of Public Health and Primary Care Whether we are investigating patients’ experience of health care, designing services, prioritising public resources or even undertaking research, there is always a role for engaging with patients and the public. This was a specific topic in the Health Care Evaluation and Commissioning module that ran … Continue reading “Engaging with Patients and the Public in Research (22.05.15)”

Patients taking drugs for osteoporosis (bisphosphonates) were less likely to a develop diabetes. Analysis of a database of patient records found that those taking drugs for osteoporosis (bisphosphonates) were less likely to develop diabetes than similar patients not prescribed the drugs. The research undertaken by University of Birmingham’s health informatics group (“phi”: www.birmingham.ac.uk/phi) working with … Continue reading “Research Highlight: Could Osteoporosis Drugs Prevent Diabetes? (22.05.15)”

A Study on the Effectiveness of Daily Weight Measurements in Aiding Losing Weight in Obese RAF Servicemen By Donald Ross, MPH Student and Assistant Head of Clinical Operations at Defence Primary Healthcare Many people will be surprised to learn that the military mirrors our societal problem with obesity.  In particular, the RAF Health report in 2013 … Continue reading “Student Dissertation Topic Highlights (22.05.15)”

Impact of Co-morbidities on Glycaemic Control in Patients with Type II Diabetes  By Ember Hilvers, MPH (SEAL) Student Type II diabetes mellitus, one of the most common chronic diseases, has seen an immense increase in global prevalence in the past few decades, and is expected to continue rising. Global prevalence is expected to reach nearly … Continue reading “Student Dissertation Topic Highlight (22.05.15)”

 By Nicola Adderly, MPH Student and Research Fellow In my opinion, one of the great things about public health research is that it draws together people from a variety of backgrounds with a diverse range of knowledge and skills – which can surely only be of benefit to the discipline. My own path to public … Continue reading “Student Highlight: Egyptology to Epidemiology (22.05.15)”

This year was no exception to previous years, the Clinical Trials module was well received by students. The module provided students with a theoretical and practical understanding of trial methodology. There were a number of positive comments about the module. Students said: “Overall this week has been excellent.  All the lecturers have taught very appropriately … Continue reading “Module Focus: Clinical Trials (22.05.15)”

Deciding to apply for the MPH at the University of Birmingham was a long and complicated decision, however I have been committed to establishing a career in public health for a long time and I felt that this was the right first step for me. I was delighted to be offered a place and promised … Continue reading “Student Rep Report: Term Two – Reflections (22.05.15)”

Study aim and methods: We set out to investigate the impact of smoking cessation on mental health in general and psychiatric populations. We included longitudinal studies of adults from any population and reported in any language, we also sought out additional data where means and SDs were not presented in publications. We searched five databases … Continue reading “Research Highlight: Smoking Cessation and Mental Health (15.02.15)”

Training and practice among junior doctors in the repair of birth-related perineal trauma in public health institutions in Lagos State: a cross-sectional study  By Stephanie Fowler In the UK and other developed countries, midwives and Obstetrics and Gynaecology residents are trained and involved in the assessment and management of perineal trauma, while in developing countries like … Continue reading “International Students: Dissertation Topic Highlights (15.02.15)”

Intake of tea and risk of Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease: a systematic review  By Jingya Wang  It is common knowledge that Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastric inflammation, which may progress to chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. These diseases might then develop into gastric cancer. Some essential components in … Continue reading “International Students: Dissertation Topic Highlights (15.02.15)”