Numerous behavioural factors, such as lack of physical activity and the consumption of an unbalanced diet, contribute to the risk of overweight/obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Despite the undisputed relationship between lifestyle and health, efficacy and effectiveness of population-based health behaviour change interventions for the promotion of a healthier lifestyle and the prevention of chronic diseases are not sufficiently explored.
The sub-departmental research group 'Applied Health Intervention Research' develops and implements regional, national as well as inner-European public health interventions promoting lifestyle and health behaviour changes. These intervention programmes are targeted towards individuals with a migration background and/or those with social disadvantages/low-income populations and tailored to the needs of these populations.
The group works in close collaboration with the second research group in the Department Prevention and Evaluation, the research group 'Social Epidemiology'. This research group informs the work of the unit 'Applied Health Intervention Research' by providing scientific information regarding rates of social and health inequalities (and variations in morbidity and mortality) by social gradient and/or by migration background in the German population (based on large German cohort studies and/or German registries such as the Bremen Cancer Registry). Scientific knowledge about risk factors for chronic diseases is provided by the Department 'Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research', especially by the sub-departmental unit 'Lifestyle Related Disorders'.
The group is inter-disciplinary in nature and is composed of practitioners and scientists. Practitioners in the group continue the long-standing tradition of nutritional counselling and other health education in multiple institutions in the state of Bremen such as kindergartens, day-care facilities, and assisted-living residences.
Topics at a glance:
Researchers in the group are currently involved in several research projects addressing intervention needs over the life course (i.e., from childhood to old age).
Topics at a glance:
More recently, a second research focus has been added to the group's work. Specifically, the group has become involved in two projects investigating the health effects of low-dose natural and medical radiation exposure ('Radon Prevention and Remediation' or 'RADPAR' study, 'Cancer risk evaluation after radiation exposure from computed-tomography diagnostics during childhood' or 'KiCT' study). Results of these projects will inform future national and EU guidelines and recommendations for radiation exposure in medical treatment regiments and for new national and EU building codes.
Only currently running projects or those that ended less than a year ago will be shown. The entries are sorted alphabetically.