NIHR HPRU: Health Protection Research Unit in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Project Summary

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at UCL is a partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The unit conducts state-of-the-art research to improve the health of the population, and to help develop practical policy guidelines for those working in health protection.

To date, the NIHR HPRU has received around £8.5 million to undertake collaborative research that addresses the key health protection priorities for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs), notably research questions around understanding risk and risk reduction, reducing the burden of under-diagnosis, and improving care and management of those diagnosed with infections. 

Examples of ongoing work include assessing the feasibility of offering sexual health testing within routine general practice, and developing recommendations for care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

A diverse team of researchers from clinical medicine, epidemiology, medical statistics, qualitative science, social science, health economics, mathematical modelling and laboratory science have been brought together to create an innovative culture of working across different disease areas, populations, and institutions.

The first NIHR HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections ran from April 2014-March 2020; the second HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections was established in April 2020 and is funded until March 2025.

Key Project Information

Dates: 2014-2025

Status: Current

IGH lead: Prof Caroline Sabin

Partners: UK Health Security Agency, University of Bristol

Location: UK

Funding: NIHR

Contact: Prof Caroline Sabin/Ms Pat Withington

Website: http://bbsti.hpru.nihr.ac.uk/