Cultures and Environments of Health

Our vision is to create and sustain cultures and environments that enable health and well-being across the life course. Combining expertise from the humanities, social sciences and biomedical sciences, the Centre will provide a unique opportunity to work together to address health challenges facing socially and culturally diverse populations. We aim to: a) determine how health and well-being are shaped by cultural contexts, environmental conditions and social relations; b) extend the evidence base for cross-sectoral policies and interventions that help to create and sustain `healthy publics’. Building on the methodological approaches, expertise and interests of existing research groups, research will explore four core interdependent areas of enquiry that traverse disciplinary boundaries and generate innovative methods for investigating and addressing contemporary health and environmental challenges: 1. Enabling health - investigating changing experiences and meanings of health and developing methods for addressing health inequalities; 2. Health across the life course - studying patterns of emotional well-being and cognitive health in children, families, and older people; 3. Relational approaches to health - assessing the value of social relations and identities in promoting resilience and enhancing health; 4. Environmental and cultural engagement - exploring how cultures and environments can be used to promote health.