Epidemiology and Public Health

The Epidemiology and Public Health Group conducts research on genetic and conventional risk factors for chronic conditions of ageing. The group (led by Professor David Melzer) uses epidemiological methods to explore causes and to inform clinical decision-making and policy. Since 2015 the group has been working closely with the University of Connecticut's Center on Aging and Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences.

The group's current special interests include:

• the impact of haemochromatosis mutations on health outcomes in later life (supported by the Medical Research Council)
• genetic and environmental influences on health in later life (supported by the Medical Research Council), including identifying 25 genetic variants associated with human longevity
• improving the treatment of people with dementia and additional health conditions (supported by the Alzheimer's Society)
• understanding predictors of delirium in the community (supported by the National Institute for Health Research)
• outcomes of raised blood pressures in older people (supported by an NIHR clinical academic PhD fellowship)
• studies of older people with near ideal cardiovascular risk factors, and the offspring of long-lived families

The group has close links to Molecular Genetics - Monogenic and Molecular Genetics Polygenic.