Dr Gemma Brailey

I am a public health researcher based in SPHERE (School for Public Health Environments Research at Exeter), committed to reducing health inequalities by improving access to health and care services for underserved and structurally marginalised communities. My work focuses on rural health and place-based models of prevention, with a particular interest in supporting the health and wellbeing of farmers and rural workers.

I lead a project funded by the NIHR Three Schools Prevention Research Programme evaluating a new health coaching intervention for farmers, delivered in partnership with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and based at Holsworthy Livestock Market. This builds on our earlier NIHR-funded development work co-designed with farmers, community leaders and health stakeholders.

I am also part of the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) Area for Research Innovation on Data Innovation, which explores how routine data can be used to improve the evaluation of public health interventions, particularly for children and young people.

My research is grounded in partnership working with communities and stakeholders to design, deliver and evaluate practical, equitable solutions to improve access to care and reduce health inequalities.