The Population Health Research Institute uses routine health statistics, together with the results of health surveys and controlled trials, to measure the burden of disease in communities, to explore causes of ill-health, to inform policies for prevention and to improve the delivery of healthcare.
Our research on the health of populations involves researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, including epidemiologists, statisticians, mental health researchers, nutritionists, social scientists and health psychologists. We have clinical researchers with backgrounds in primary care, paediatrics, psychiatry, medicine and public health, which provide links to St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the South West London Mental Health Trust.
Research is organised under two Research Sections. The Chronic Disease Epidemiology section, led by Professor Chris Owen, focuses on the epidemiology and determinants of chronic disease (including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, eye disease and respiratory and allergic disease) and congenital anomalies. The Environment, Prevention & Health Care section, led by Professor Charlotte Clark, focuses on environmental determinants of health, disease prevention (including behaviour change trials), mental health research, primary care research (including the Primary Care Epidemiology Group) and evidence-based health care (including the Cochrane Airways Group).
Members of the institute are active participants in many international partnerships, including some with global coverage. There are also formal links within the University of London, with the Medical Research Council Centre for Environment and Health, based at Imperial College and King’s College, and with the British Regional Heart Study team, based at University College London.
Contact details
Institute Director
Professor Charlotte Clark
Email chclark
Institute Manager
Thuy Vuong
Tel: 0208 725 5601
Email qvuong
Head of Section: Environment, Prevention & Health Care
Professor Joan Morris
Email jmorris
Head of Section: Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Professor Christopher Owen
Email cowen
Professor Richard Atkinson
Dr Iain Carey
Dr Christopher Cates
Professor Derek Cook
Professor Julia Critchley
Dr Emma Dennett
Dr Rebecca Fortescue
Dr Angela Donin
Professor Tess Harris
Dr Peijue Huangfu
Dr Mohammed Hudda
Professor Joan Morris
Dr Claire Nightingale
Professor Pippa Oakeshott
Dr Mohammad Razai
Professor Alicja Rudnicka
Emma Stovold
Professor David Strachan
Professor Michael Ussher
Professor Peter Whincup
Dr Sarah White