The University of Portsmouth officially unveils the Centre for Integrated Health and Wellbeing (CiH-Well), a pioneering research hub dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing health issues facing society today
Designed to confront challenges across the lifespan - from childhood development to ageing populations - CiH-Well brings together experts from psychology, sports and exercise science, social care, healthcare, and digital technologies. The centre aims to reduce health inequalities and improve access to effective care through innovative, evidence-based solutions.
The new centre will focus on tackling health inequalities, ensuring everyone has fair access to good health regardless of their background or where they live. It will also develop practical solutions for conditions that impact millions of people, including chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and preventable diseases.
By combining cutting-edge research with real-world applications, CiH-Well aims to improve health outcomes for individuals and communities locally, nationally, and globally.
_1759319093.jpg)
“The launch of CiH-Well represents a pivotal moment in our mission to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time,” said Associate Professor Dr. Tim Exell, Director of CiH-Well. “By bringing together experts from a range of fields, we're creating a powerhouse for innovation that will drive meaningful improvements in health outcomes and wellbeing across all stages of life, both locally to Portsmouth and Wessex and with further global reach.”
CiH-Well will also play a key role in supporting early-career researchers and expanding the University’s Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) networks. Its work aligns closely with the University’s Research and Innovation strategy, reinforcing Portsmouth’s commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary research.
The CiH-Well was launched at a special event featuring presentations from University of Portsmouth researchers and external speakers, facility tours, laboratory demonstrations, and networking opportunities. It was organised by the Faculty of Science and Health with support from the NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
 (1)_1759322829.png)
Christine McGrath, Wessex Health Partners Managing Director, said: “Wessex Health Partners is delighted to support and celebrate this new centre. Our partnership aims to align the work of our region’s researchers and innovators with pressing local health needs and the government’s ten-year health plan. This way, we’re ensuring our region unites to plays a major role in the life sciences, and we look forward to seeing more collaborations supported through the work of CiH-Well.”
Director of the NIHR Southampton BRC, Professor Mike Grocott, said: “Today the launch of the new CiH-Well centre has been a great event with a real buzz as new connections are made, and existing strengths highlighted. The NIHR WEMN group has been thrilled to support the launch day, and we are looking forward to strengthening our existing collaborations and forming new collaborative teams. This will achieve greater outcomes than when working alone to address the unmet health challenges, particularly health inequalities, within the Wessex region.”
For more information about CiH-Well and its initiatives, visit their website by clicking here.
Cookies help us improve your Wessex Health Partners online experience. If you accept their use, continue using our site or read our privacy policy to find out more about cookies.