There is increasing recognition of the importance of preventative healthcare that averts the need for emotionally and physically burdensome, costly and sometimes unsuccessful intervention. Researchers at UCL are engineering technologies to support this shift, ranging from wearable devices that encourage individuals to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle through to bioprocessing and manufacturing methods that enable widespread, affordable vaccination.
At a more fundamental level, scientists are working to understand the precise causes and processes behind diseases in an effort to eventually prevent them. Our improved understanding of people’s specific genetic make-up can provide insight into risk of disease and best prevention methods, whilst advanced computational models can be personalised to help predict and prevent disease progression in individuals.
The case-studies below offer a glimpse of the healthcare engineering research activity within prevention at UCL. If you would like your research project to be featured here, please email healthcare-eng@ucl.ac.uk.
Global health research project to decrease the cost of vaccines
A low-cost manufacturing platform has the potential to save millions of lives worldwide.
Gold-standard research shapes the NHS’ digestive disorder guidelines
New guidelines could result in significant cost savings for the NHS.
Swallowing simulator used to prevent choking deaths
A mechanical simulator of the mouth and tongue has shaped new NHS guidelines for people with swallowing disorders.
Wearable devices encourage people to get active
The GetAMoveOn Network+ project is using innovative technology to get people moving more.
Sri Lankan hospitals survey
A team of UCL researchers carried out a structural survey on Sri Lanka's south coast hospital to assess their vulnerability to storms and tsunami.
Improving maternal health in Nepal
In collaboration with local women, researchers developed an app to improve health resilience
Online resource for first-time mothers
A co-designed website provides practical information and social support for new mothers.
