This PhD is part of the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, a partnership between Public Health England, King’s College London and the University of East Anglia (http://epr.hpru.nihr.ac.uk/).
Scientific Background
The mental health effects of emergencies and disasters can be considerable (i). Yet our ability to monitor the mental health consequences of such events in real-time (i.e. day-to-day) is limited. Such information could be key to providing timely support to affected populations. In addition our knowledge of how mental health conditions seen by emergency departments vary by socioeconomic group, geography and in response to weather events are also limited (ii). This PhD provides an exciting opportunity to explore the potential of emergency department data reported to Public Health England to provide early warning of mental health impacts, follow these through events (iii) and explore how impacts vary by socioeconomic group and geography. Such information may be used to develop early interventions. This PhD builds on work we have undertaken to explore the impact of COVID-19 on health care usage (iv).
Research Methodology
At the outset you will explore how information on population mental health can be extracted from the codes provided by emergency departments to Public Health England. You will then extract mental health indicators for several previous emergency events (e.g. flooding) to explore their impact on mental health. Finally you will explore how contextual factors (e.g. socioeconomic status, geography, weather) affect mental health attendances.
Training
You will be trained in the analysis and interpretation of large datasets using statistical and machine learning techniques. The PhD will offer opportunities to gain skills in epidemiological methods. Working with PHE provides access to infectious disease experts and public health practitioners.
For more information on the supervisor for this project, please go here: https://people.uea.ac.uk/i_lake
The start date is 1st October 2021. The mode of study is full time. The studentship length is 3 years.
Entry Requirements
Enthusiastic with a first degree (1st or 2:1) or Masters in a quantitative discipline. Experience of Public Health, Epidemiology and statistics would be advantageous but not essential. You will have an interest and ability to handle large datasets and a keen interest in how primary care and other real-time data can be used to inform public health.
Location
UEA Campus, Norwich / PHE Birmingham
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