Many people live a long live, at least in high income countries and increasingly so in low and middle income countries, but frequently people live with at least one long-term condition and experience a poor quality of life. The discrepancy between life-expectancy and healthy life years is growing, particularly for those exposed to challenging life circumstances and poverty.

 An increasing number of people live with multiple long-term conditions or are at risk of developing long-term activity and quality of life limiting conditions. The members of the Research and Enterprise group address issues of prevention, treatment and care in a number of areas and frequently with an eye on integrated care across physical and mental health. We consider a move away from a single disease or at best multi-morbidity perspective toward the ability to do things (functional status in the widest sense) and social participation as fundamental. This links closely to rehabilitation within a life-course perspective.

Quantitative and qualitative, cross-sectional, longitudinal and interventionist approaches form part of the methodological tools available within the group.

Activities and outcomes (2018/19)

• Offer seminars
• Peer support for research activities (grant development, carrying out research, data analysis, reporting, publication and dissemination for impact)
• Facilitate grant applications, where appropriate in collaboration with Public Health and Wellbeing REG and COREs. 

Longer-term aims (2 to 3 years)

• Work closely with other REGroups in SHS
• Foster research culture in SHS and other schools with overlapping interests (SHS, PABS)
• Support groups in applying for larger, more ambitious grants

N.b. The above title for the Research and Enterprise group and the description is still under discussion. We will finalise this in the very near future.