Health improvement - London Metropolitan University

London Met Lab: The Health Improvement Challenge

Health improvement

We want to support the community to help ensure all Londoners get a fair opportunity to live a long, healthy life.

The overall health of Londoners is getting better. Over the last ten years, we have reductions in the number of early deaths from cancer and heart, circulatory and lung diseases. Life expectancy in the city is now more than 80 for men and 84 years for women. However, London also has the widest health inequalities in Europe - inequalities which are systematic and preventable, and stop Londoners from reaching their full potential. London's health inequalities are created by social, geographical and biological factors. The difference between the highest and lowest healthy life expectancy in areas of London is 15.7 years based on Public Health England data. Contributing factors include infant mortality, excess weight, physical activity, smoking, homelessness and disease.

We want to support the community and public health care professionals by encouraging people to adopt a healthy diet, undertake the physical activity they need on a daily basis and improve their mental health, so that all Londoners get a fair opportunity to live a long, healthy life.

Research and projects

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Community comes together for launch of Civic University Statement

The London Met Lab-led initiative reaffirms London Metropolitan University’s work in the community and showcase the scale of work taking place across the capital city.

Rollin' with the punches: Lenny Henry visits boxing-for-mental-health initiative

Lenny paid a visit in his capacity as Honorary Life President of Comic Relief, who have provided funding for the innovative scheme.

How can mental health services better support Black men?

London Met's Kevin Brazant on the issues that impact Black men's mental health, following an expert panel discussion he took part in at the Men and Boy's Coalition.

Men more than twice as likely as women to avoid masks

A new study recommends public health guidance target men, who are less likely to comply with face-covering rules.

New international study shows benefits of omega-3 fats in Type-2-Diabetes

Senior author of the study Professor Laurence Harbige explains that this study provides important data which could improve health recommendations and outcomes for Type-2-Diabetics.

London Met team launch survey to explore access to NHS services this winter

A new survey aims to understand the experiences of North Londoners in accessing NHS services and the health-related decisions they are making.

London Met academics explore nutrition for dancers in new book

The book contains scientific advice from a plethora of experts to help dancers choose a nutritional plan that supports the dancer in their physical and mental endeavours.

Omicron variant: what it is and what it means for us.

Gary McLean, Professor in Molecular Immunology, provides an expert comment on the new strain Covid variant.

London Met host the Physiological Society 2021 GL Brown Prize Lecture

The lecture, which is open to all, will explore Cystic Fibrosis: From Gene to Precision Medicines.

Joint event: London Met and Physiological Society to explore safe, effective exercise participation

Taking place on 12 November, the 90 minute seminar will emphasise translating the language of science into practical exercise and activity.

Expanding the role of pharmacists in general practice

A new editorial co-authored by London Met Professor of Applied Health Research, Duncan Stewart, explores the potential of Structured Medication Reviews (SMR).

Injury and rehab clinic organises pop-up at local 5k run

The clinic’s sports therapists will be providing the runners with expert injury advice.

Ecology as Public and Mental Health

A discussion as part of London Met’s new interdisciplinary research initiative, Finding Ecologies, explores how we create environments in which we and others can flourish.

The Covid-19 situation in the UK and what it means for your learning experience

An update on the Covid-19 situation from Professor Gary McLean.

Understanding vaccine hesitancy in London

London Met is partnering with the NHS on a joint research project to understand why Londoners are the least likely to take a Covid vaccine.

Reducing malnutrition in children undergoing chemotherapy

A London Met-GOSH study aimed to find out how different types of feeding affected the weight of children experiencing mucositis as a result of chemotherapy.

LGBTQI+ Lambeth residents invited to take part in COVID research project

The project is looking to learn more about the experiences of LGBTQI+ communities, to influence policies and services that enable LGBTQI+ people in Lambeth to thrive.

Establishing the societal effects of boxing

London Met's Dr Stephen Hills and co-author Dr Deborah Jump delivered a report about the societal effects of boxing to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Boxing.

London Met academics present COVID-19 research to Lambeth Council

Researchers from across the University showcased the work they are doing to address the challenges of the pandemic.

Mind the gap? Social distancing in North London

A London Met study found that almost all North Londoners broke social distancing rules over a two week period after lockdown was announced, with nearly half doing so deliberately.

School of Human Sciences come together to help tackle COVID-19

The multi-disciplinary team of scientists will use their expertise to investigate the virus.

Obesity as a risk factor for COVID-19

London Met PhD graduate Dr Roham Makki has contributed his expertise on associations between respiratory function and obesity to Public Health England, to aid the pandemic response.

London Met Staff translate crucial documents for COVID-19 trials

Making translations of Participant Information Sheets available for the RECOVERY trial means patients from different backgrounds can take part, enhancing its overall rigour.

COVID-19: London Met scientist returns to NHS to help with crisis

Clinical researcher Mohamed Ahmed will return to a former role in a hospital lab, as the NHS strives to rapidly expand its workforce to tackle the pandemic.

Drug proves 'life-saving' in COVID-19 clinical trials

London Met academics have contributed to the clinical trial process, which has found that common drug dexamethasone significantly reduces mortality in coronavirus patients.

3D printing for drug delivery

Dr Bruno Sil dos Santos uses 3D printing to develop new surrogates that can mimic the same properties as human membranes to find new ways to improve approaches to drug delivery.

COVID-19: London Met infection control expert supporting the armed forces

Dr Ian Hancock is volunteering his expertise and experience of tackling major viral crises to help the British armed forces and veteran-based charities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

London Met scientist volunteering to expand COVID-19 testing

Dr Sheelagh Heugh will use her expertise to help Public Health England with the expansion of the COVID-19 testing regime, with the support of London Met.

COVID-19: London Met donates safety equipment to local hospital

The University has donated protective equipment from its Science Centre to the Whittington Hospital as the UK battles the novel coronavirus.

London Met hosts one of the world’s largest psychology conferences

London Metropolitan University hosted the 60th annual TEAP conference which brought together world-leading psychology researchers.

London Met launches new research on COVID-19 in the community

The study will look at people’s experiences of the lockdown measures and their impact on individuals and communities.

COVID-19: London Met sew hundreds of masks for NHS

London Met staff have sewn and donated hundreds of face masks primarily to maternity wards in London, where staff are lacking protective gear as a result of the pandemic.

Exploring and understanding health and wellbeing

The Centre for Primary Health and Social Care facilitated research sharing on a variety of diverse topics, including bullying in education, the health of carers, and migrant rights.

Developing the Move More programme

Justin Webb, course leader for Public Health MSc, presented his information pack encouraging cancer survivors to Move More at leading Patients’ forum.

University staff encouraged to open up about health and wellbeing

An online survey open to all colleagues working in the Higher Education sector has launched, with the aim of improving how universities across the UK look after their staff.

Are you what you eat?

A global conference discussing the impact nutrition has on the immune system in health and disease will take place in London Met’s iconic Great Hall.

Developing new vaccinations for a silent killer

Dr Gary McLean, a Reader in Molecular Immunology at London Metropolitan University, worked as part of an international research team to investigate a new vaccine to combat a virus.

Addressing the issue of staff wellbeing in Higher Education

A conference held at London Met welcomed sector-wide colleagues to share thoughts and ideas about how to improve staff wellbeing and attitudes towards mental health in Higher Education.

Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre

The aim of the LNRC is to unravel the mechanistic role of membrane lipids in growth and development, health and chronic diseases.

Molecular Systems for Health Research Group

A multi-disciplinary group focused on strategic areas of analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic applications in biomedical science.

Public Health Nutrition and Food Microbiology Research Group

The PHNFMRG helps to address the major nutrition and food-related issues that affect populations at the local, national and global levels.

Centre for Primary Health and Social Care

The Centre is committed to applied health research that makes a significant impact on people's lives and wellbeing.

Cellular Molecular and Immunology Research Centre (CMIRC)

The Centre aims to use an understanding of cellular and molecular biological processes, immune responses to viruses and cancer cell biogenesis and metastasis, to develop interventions.