Institute for Health and Human Development

Context and Environment

The External Environment

Several features in the current external environment create strong opportunities for the successful development of the Institute within UEL. Nationally, policy documents are highlighting the unsustainability of the health service in the absence of major improvements in the effectiveness of preventive public health interventions (Wanless, Choosing Health), new priorities for prevention which recognise social and economic determinants of health (Choosing Health), and the primacy of patients in leading NHS priorities (Patient lead NHS). At the same time Government is linking health to a broader concept of wellbeing in setting up a new national reference group for Health and Wellbeing (Our Health, Our Care, Our Say).

Internationally, the priority to secure development in the poorest countries in the face of HIV epidemics and emerging global challenges in energy security and environmental change are driving demand for development of low energy consuming social technologies to build health, wellbeing and social capital, The are also driving demand for a rethink of the linkage between growth in consumption and growth in wellbeing in richer countries as well as for scientific-based technical fixes. Finally, East London focus of the London Olympics (LO) and the Thames Gateway Development (TGD), and the framing of the Olympic legacy in health, regeneration and cultural domains provide a unique opportunity to brand and profile IHHD's research themes as central to national priorities.

The Internal Environment

Among HEIs in London we are well positioned to develop cutting edge research, scholarly activity and knowledge transfer in health, wellbeing and development. First, we are not dominated by big genetics and big pharma which have effectively stifled development of research into the social, economic and cultural determinants of health and wellbeing in universities which house medical schools. Second we have considerable depth and breadth of expertise in social development and regeneration (Knowledge East Research Institute); education policy, urban regeneration and voluntary action (Centre for Institutional Studies); widening policy participation (Continuum Research Centre); legal aspects of development (Law and Development Centre) and other relevant fields. We are represented on various bodies planning both TGD and LO, and has the capacity to mobilize stakeholders in to participate in and support this foresight exercise. We are the major provider of HIM to our local communities.

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© 2010