WHO’s like us?

The University of St Andrews is to lead the way in improving the lives of millions of adolescents around the world.

Medical experts at the University have been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in an important new four year appointment.

The University’s School of Medicine has been designated the WHO Collaborating Centre for International Child and Adolescent Health Policy (WHO CC).  The development –  which puts St Andrews at the forefront of UK researchers – aims to directly improve inequalities in the health and well-being of our young people.

It builds upon the international research and policy related work already carried out by leading experts in population and behavioural health sciences at St Andrews.

The Centre will be directed by Candace Currie, Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at St Andrews.  Professor Currie will work alongside Co-Directors, Professors Peter Donnelly and Gerry Humphris, to enhance better understanding of young people, their health and behaviour.

She commented, “As a World Health Organisation designated Collaborating Centre we will have a platform to fulfil a unique role in relation to the improvement of health for children and adolescents people worldwide. To contribute to WHO’s strategic development in this field, the centre will interpret and distil the latest international research on health inequalities, violence and substance use, conducted at the School of Medicine, to provide robust evidence for translation to policies that positively impact on the lives of young people.

Work in three broad areas will look at the social determinants of health and health inequalities, violence prevention and drug prevention.  It is hoped that, by improving understanding of cutting edge international research, the new centre will help young people avoid social and educational exclusion and, in turn, adverse health.

Professor Currie continued, “For St Andrews, this is provides an excellent opportunity to pool research expertise and translate it to workable solutions in international child and adolescent health as well as contributing to the School of Medicine’s developing agenda on Global Health Implementation.”

The St Andrews centre is the only one in the UK and in the WHO Euro region that combines work on children and adolescents with a focus on policy and practice to influence adolescent health.

ENDS

Note to Editors

Professor Currie is available for interview today (Tuesday 10 December) on 01334 461732.

A WHO collaborating centre is a national institution designated by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation to form part of an international collaborative network carrying out activities in support of WHO’s mandate for international health work and its programme priorities.

Issued by the University of St Andrews Press Office
Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Communications Manager on 01334 467227 or email [email protected]
Ref: WHO 101213