The University has a strong tradition of epidemiological research, much of it conducted within the MRC epidermiology unit, which hosts a number of cohort studies.
The work of the unit is structured in three broad research themes: (1) musculoskeletal ageing; (2) nutrition, development and lifelong health; and (3) work and health. Download a PDF of the schematic structure of the Unit's current programme (at the side of this page).
Patterns of health, illness and disease are influenced at different stages of the lifecourse by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Our previous research has demonstrated that during early development, the way in which the fetus responds to a range of nutritional and other factors is likely to be an important contributor to disease, as described by the ‘developmental origins' hypothesis. Environmental exposures during infancy, childhood and adult life may modify this susceptibility to disease. In middle and later life, social, psychological, physical and occupational factors in the environment can cause, or accentuate risk of, ill health and disease. Research at the LEU encompasses health determinants throughout the entire lifecourse, from the prenatal phase, through infancy, childhood and working life, on into old age.
Download a PDF of the conceptual framework of the Unit's work (at the side of this page).
Cohort studies are a core resource of the MRC LEU, some of which were developed by others elsewhere and with whom we collaborate. Those interested in collaborative projects should contact the LEU director in the first instance.
See the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit website for staff and further details.
Several of these cohort studies were established to explore lifecourse influences on health and development. They include:
The Hertfordshire Cohort Study consists of 3000 men and women born 1931-1939 and still resident in the county. Information available on these individuals includes birth weight and details of the first year of life. These study members have been followed-up at ages 60-75 years.
The Southampton Women's Survey is a study of over 12,500 Southampton women aged 20-34 years who were assessed when they were not pregnant. More than 3,000 of them have been followed through a subsequent pregnancy and the children followed through infancy and childhood.
There are two birth cohorts: 7,086 people born at Helsinki University Hospital during 1924-33and 13,345 people born at the University or Midwives' Hospital during 1934-44. Maternity records are linked to childhood measurements of height and weight.
Pune Children's Cohort
This cohort comprises 466 individuals born between 1987 and 1989 and studied from age four years. Its special features are serial measurements of metabolic/cardiovascular risk factors and detailed anthropometric data in childhood.
Pune Maternal Nutrition Study
Women from six rural villages were recruited in 1994 when non-pregnant and 770 children subsequently born to these women are being followed through childhood.
New Delhi Birth Cohort Study
The cohort comprises approximately 1,500 men and women, whose mothers were recruited in pregnancy during 1969-72 in South Delhi. The cohort members and were measured at birth and every six months until the age of 21 years. The children of the cohort are also being studied.
Mysore Parthenon Cohort
The Parthenon Study is a birth cohort study started in one hospital in the South Indian city of Mysore in 1997-1998. The cohort comprises approximately 550 urban and rural children.
In addition to these cohorts, the unit houses a series of long-running occupational cohort studies.
Global Health research within this theme is mainly focussed on Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, in particular HIV transmission dynamics, and the impact of antiretroviral drugs on HIV transmission, pregnancy and infant outcomes, sexual behaviour and partnership change. With the roll-out of HIV treatment and care, HIV has become a chronic disease and questions regarding aging and co-morbidities of HIV with NCDs are being addressed. The data that underpin this work come from sub-Saharan Africa, in particular South Africa, but the results have bearing for many resource-limited settings. Several randomised clinical trials are in progress in South Africa including a trial of a couples-based HIV prevention intervention and a cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs soon after diagnosis of HIV infection on HIV incidence.
Primary Care and Population Sciences (PCPS) has a longstanding research interest into the epidemiology and health care management of chronic kidney disease ( CKD ). Ongoing research includes:
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