DECIPHer's aims and objectives are being achieved through five inter-linked scientific programmes which relate to the five levels of change in McLeroy’s socio ecological framework for public health research.
Each of these programmes will draw on the expertise of academics across DECIPHer who are leaders in their fields in a wide range of methodological and substantive areas relevant to public health improvement. In particular, they will build on strengths in:
- the development of epidemiologically and social scientifically informed complex and multi-factorial interventions that are effective across settings and behaviours
- the rigorous evaluation of complex interventions, often using pragmatic controlled trial designs with nested process evaluation and including natural experiments of new policy programmes
- the use of routine data to develop and target interventions and to provide sources of data on contexts and long term outcomes for intervention studies.
DECIPHer addresses health behaviour in its widest sense, encompassing individual risk and protective behaviour and the contexts and structures that improve, sustain or undermine health and well-being. Adopting a socio ecological approach to public health improvement means that the focus is on multiple behaviours and complexity covering smoking, alcohol and drug use, diet, physical activity, sexual and mental health. The aim is to develop and evaluate multi-factorial interventions that work within and across contexts and that address the inherent complexity of ecological systems for health.
In this way, intra and interpersonal, organizational, community and environmental approaches to promoting health are addressed. Significantly, collaborative partnerships with policy makers and practitioners will mean that innovative and effective interventions developed by the Centre will be able to be implemented locally and nationally and existing planned policies will be able to be evaluated effectively.
DECIPHer also builds upon the success of PHIRN Public Health Improvement Research Network in Wales to develop a vibrant multidisciplinary collaborative culture, with a strong emphasis on engagement with non-academic users. This involves developing enduring partnerships with policy and practice organisations around a comprehensive programme of activities, and a developing portfolio of collaborative projects.
DECIPHer has also developed a comprehensive and flexible capacity development programme that will focus on developing early stage researchers. A major component will be an expanded public health research short course programme, which along with exchanges, placements and action learning sets will be open to and maximise engagement with policy-makers and practitioners.
DECIPHer will have a strong emphasis on public involvement at all levels of the proposed research programme, working with partners to develop innovative ways to ensure equitable and diverse representation of public views, including those of young people and their carers.
Through its research, increased academic and practitioner capacity, and active public involvement, DECIPHer will lead to a step-change in the conduct of important, challenging and methodologically sound studies to improve public health.
DECIPHer has developed an adoption procedure where new activity – research projects, capacity development activity, fellowships and studentships are adopted or affiliated to DECIPHer.