The Public Health Research (PHR) Programme evaluates non-NHS interventions intended to improve the health of the public and reduce inequalities in health. The scope of the programme is multi-disciplinary and broad covering a wide range of public health interventions. Examples include:
- examining whether regeneration programmes improve public health and reduce health inequalities,
- evaluating employer schemes to encourage walking or cycling to work, and
- assessing interventions that encourage healthy eating among school children.
The main focus of the PHR Programme is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of public health interventions. However, the broader impact and acceptability to the target community and wider society are also important. So to understand the impact and sustainability of public health programmes these are also investigated where relevant.
The PHR Programme is one of four evaluation programmes managed by the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC) on behalf of the NIHR which supports public health research.