Public Health Institute launched amid research success for one of the team

A new Public Health Institute has been established at Liverpool John Moores University to respond to the varied and complex public health issues of the 21st Century. Formerly the Centre for Public Health, the Institute will deliver high quality research and education programmes and establish effective partnerships to bring significant benefits to public health.

The launch comes as an academic based at the Institute was last week awarded The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research Paper of the Year for 2015, illustrating the exceptional minds delivering expertise and research at the Institute.

The prestigious RCGP award which recognises an individual or group of researchers who have published an outstanding piece of research went to Dr Christian Blickem, a Teaching and Research Fellow at the PHI, after co-authoring a research study with colleagues from the University of Manchester about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), published in the journal Social Science and Medicine.

A number of public health leaders, policy makers and stakeholders joined staff and students from the Public Health Institute on Wednesday evening for an official launch event. Guests heard of the Public Health Institute’s aspirations and plans with an opportunity for stakeholders to informally meet with staff and students to discuss specific projects and proposals.

Public Health Institute Director Jim McVeigh said:

“This is a crucial time for public health, locally, nationally and globally. The Public Health Institute recognises these challenges and the impact that high quality research and education can have on communities at home and abroad. Becoming a Liverpool John Moores University Institute signals our commitment to working collaboratively to benefit society, in particular those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged.”

Professor Nigel Weatherill, Vice-Chancellor at LJMU commented:

“From the health benefits of solar lights to tackling substance abuse, this Institute has built its 17 year legacy by being at the forefront of providing solutions to crucial 21^st health challenges at home and overseas. This newly reformed Public Health Institute enables an even stronger platform for partnership with Liverpool John Moores University – not just in academia and the health sector – but with a broad range of local and national organisations, so our research has real impact for all of society.”

Find out more about the Public Health Institute.