MRC Centre of Epidemiology for Child Health
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MRC Centre of Epidemiology for Child Health
UCL Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford Street
London, WC1N 1EH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7905 2362
Research quick links
- Congenital disorders
- Childhood origins of adult disease
- Electronic health records
- Genetic epidemiology
- Growth & development
- Health inequalities
- Infections
- Life course research
- Obesity, nutrition & physical activity
- Research for policy & practice
- Screening & surveillance
- Statistical methods
- Vision & eyes
News
Measles Outbreak Highlights Importance of MMR Vaccine
Dr Helen Bedford was interviewed on the BBC news channel about the current measles outbreaks. More...
Published: Apr 26, 2013 2:30:00 PM
Response to 'HIV baby cure' headlines
Senior Lecturer at the Centre, Dr Pat Tookey, was interviewed on the BBC News Channel, and participated in a 3-way live radio discussion on Voice of Russia. More...
Published: Mar 21, 2013 1:02:43 PM
Researcher Starts MRC Fellowship
In January 2013 Anna Pearce commences an MRC Population Health Scientist fellowship. Her research will take a longitudinal and cross-national approach to gain a better understanding of why children from disadvantaged backgrounds experience poorer health than those from more advantaged backgrounds. Anna will spend the next three years researching this topic, including 12 months at the University of Adelaide. Findings will be used to inform UK and international policy for the reduction of child health inequalities. More...
Published: Jan 11, 2013 3:57:13 PM
Parents regaining confidence in MMR vaccine
The latest figures for uptake of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine show that 91% of two year old children in England have received the vaccine. This is the first time since 1998 that MMR vaccine rates have been higher than 90%. In 1998 a publication in the Lancet, which was widely interpreted as suggesting MMR vaccine was linked with autism and bowel disease, led to widespread media coverage and speculation about the safety of this vaccine. Many parents who were justifiably concerned, decided not to accept the vaccine for their children. Rates fell to a low of 78% overall but in many districts, particularly in inner London, rates were as low as 50%. We are continuing to see the results of this, with large outbreaks of measles once again in England. More...
Published: Nov 28, 2012 3:24:55 PM
Centre Director presents at international paediatrics conference
Centre Director, Catherine Law, gave the opening plenary lecture at the International Society of Social Paediatrics and Child Health’s conference in St Andrews on 6th September 2012. The theme for the conference was “evidence into practice and evidence into policy”. More...
Published: Sep 11, 2012 2:15:40 PM
Our Research
Our research aims to answer questions that can make a positive difference to children's lives. Our focus is on providing evidence that can be used by those making decisions about or providing health services and public health services and policies.
Uncommon infections and inherited or developmental conditions
Although individually uncommon, taken together these infections and conditions are important causes of illness and early death. Medical and social advances mean that for many affected children survival to adult life is now possible, raising questions about quality of life.
Population health scientists use special methods to study the frequency of rare conditions and to understand their causes and outcomes. This can be used to develop ways of preventing the conditions themselves or the complications associated with them, as well as to plan services for children and their families.
For more information on our research in this area see Congenital disorders, Infections, Screening and Surveillance
How our early lives affect our future wellbeing and life chances
How do our environments and experiences as infants and children influence our health, wellbeing and future lives?
Our research aims to identify factors during pregnancy or early childhood that increase the risk of developing conditions in childhood, such as obesity or asthma, or of developing chronic diseases that affect us later in life, such as heart disease of diabetes. Understanding the childhood origins of these conditions can provide evidence for policies that could help to prevent them.
For more information on our research in this area see Growth & development, Health inequalities, Obesity, nutrition & physical activity
Developing methods to use and understand research data
Analysing large data sets about populations is central to our research. The majority of our research deals with children, which means that changes due to development must be taken into consideration when analysing data gathered over any length of time.
Developing methods for doing this and using these methods to create tools that can be used by other researchers is an important part of the work we do.
For more information on our research in this area see Statistical methods, Growth charts, Genetic epidemiology
Page last modified on 22 nov 11 14:26
