UEL launches world-first screening for women’s iron health
Published
05 June 2025
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The University of East London has become the first institution in the world to launch a university-wide screening programme for anaemia, heavy menstrual bleeding and iron deficiency – a pioneering move that could transform how women’s health is understood, diagnosed, and treated in educational settings.
Led by Professor Toby Richards, a clinical academic vascular surgeon and professor of surgery, along with his research team at the Shine project, the initiative addresses an overlooked but deeply impactful issue: iron deficiency in young women.
Despite being widespread and easily treatable, anaemia and its related symptoms often go undetected. “There is no screening programme for anaemia or heavy menstrual bleeding or iron deficiency,” Professor Richards said. “Yet it’s a common disease, readily identifiable, and easily treatable.”

A first-of-its-kind programme
The Shine project is the world’s first country-level screening initiative of its kind. Unlike general awareness campaigns, this programme actively screens female students.
Professor Richards, from the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, said, “We know that about one in eight women have anaemia, and one in three women have heavy periods. What we haven’t done is take the next step, which is to show that intervention makes a difference.
So the first question is of 10,000 female students, how many are prepared to have the screening programme? We know from asking women it's over 90 per cent. Then the second question is what can we do about it?”
The programme's uniqueness lies in its scope and its ability to link physical health with wider outcomes such as academic performance and mental wellbeing. “We know iron deficiency is associated with ADHD-like symptoms, anxiety, and poor mental performance,” said Professor Richards. “Just treating the deficiency can have profound effects.”
His team hopes to recruit students over the next few months, offering general advice in the first instance. There was a queue forming at the launch of the clinic as part of the Women’s Health Interprofessional Conference, held at the University of East London USS campus on 14 May.

Students at the heart of the project
What makes the Shine project especially innovative is its student-led approach. UEL students are not only the focus of the study but are also helping to run it. “They’ve developed the questionnaire, built the database, been trained in good clinical practice, and are leading the recruitment,” said Professor Richards. “This is day one – I’ve not been involved. They’ve run it all themselves.”
As well as hands-on experience, students are gaining valuable research and clinical training. Over time, they’ll move on to data analysis, manuscript writing, and presenting findings at national and international conferences.
From screening to impact
At present, students identified as anaemic are given information leaflets, but the team’s ambition is to go further. “What would be really good, particularly with exams coming up, is to offer treatment, not just advice,” Richards said. “But to do that, we need funding.
“If we have funding, then we can bring in doctors and nurses to actually individually have a literally have a clinic here and carry out one-on-one care, and then we can measure before and after.”
Evidence from international studies suggests treatment can lead to dramatic improvements in academic results. “We’ve treated many students who’ve done badly in exams because they were profoundly iron deficient,” he added. “For example, if a study showed exam results improved by, say, 10 per cent, it would be a complete no-brainer.”
A silent problem hiding in plain sight
Anaemia is often neglected in public health conversations. “You can pick up a newspaper and read about the menopause or endometriosis,” Professor Richards said. “But what about heavy period testing? It’s just not talked about.”
And yet, the solution is surprisingly simple. “It’s very easy – but no one knows about it. It’s just not picked up on.”
Women who take part in the Shine programme get clear, immediate information about their health. With future funding, they could also receive treatment such as iron supplements or infusions.
Changing the conversation about women’s health
Ultimately, the Shine project aims not only to support students but also to influence national policy. The data gathered could provide powerful evidence for systemic change. “This is about improving outcomes – academically, emotionally, and institutionally.”
As the first university to take this issue seriously at scale, UEL is leading the way in a field long overdue for attention. With students as collaborators and ambassadors, the Shine project offers a model of care, curiosity and empowerment – and could help countless young women feel, think and perform better.
Professor Richards said, “We know that the problem is out there. We know that quality of life is affected by heavy menstrual bleeding. We also know that iron deficiency is associated with ADHD-like symptoms. It's associated with anxiety, and it's associated with poor mental performance. We know this. It has been well shown. This university is the first institution to recognise that and to take steps to address it.”
Part of the Year of Health
This groundbreaking screening initiative forms a key part of the University of East London’s 2025 "Year of Health" – a year-long commitment to improving health outcomes and tackling inequalities across East London and beyond. As part of this wider mission, the university is reimagining health education, championing fairer policies, investing in community-based care, and harnessing new technologies to drive forward healthcare innovation.