Healthy and Active 100

With a strong focus on tackling health inequalities, research in this theme addresses system-wide challenges across the life course, such as providing every child with a healthy and active start in life, community-based activity for people of all ages and promoting healthy and active ageing.

The vision for the theme is informed by a broad understanding of the social determinants of health framed by the concept of social infrastructure and how this can be maximised for positive health and wellbeing across 100 years of active life.

We are especially interested in the role of social infrastructure in enabling people to be more active at all stages of their life, and the potential contribution of this activity to positive health and wellbeing for individuals and communities.

Key areas of focus

Social prescribing and community-based approaches to being healthy and active
The mental health benefits of being active
Obesity and physical activity
Healthy ageing and age friendly communities
Supporting children and young people to live healthy and active lives
Active travel

Theme Leads

Dr Catherine Homer

Research Theme Lead and Senior Research Fellow in Physical Activity, Wellness and Public Health

See Catherine's Profile

Maxine Gregory

Research Theme Co-Lead and Senior Research Fellow

See Maxine's Profile

Featured Projects

Social Prescribing and Physical Activity

This project explored the current evidence for social prescribing and physical activity

See Case Study

Easier To Be Active

The #EasierToBeActive project explored the ways in which we help people with long-term health conditions lead a more active lifestyle.

See Case Study

Golf as a therapeutic tool for older adults and their supporters

This project explores how the social connectivity of golf can improve the health and wellbeing of those who are frail and living with Parkinson’s and dementia.

See Case Study

Doncaster Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC)

In 2020, Doncaster Council delivered a Local Authority Research System project. It found that staff lacked time, funding, confidence and capacity to either carry out research or use its findings, nevertheless, staff understood the value of research activity.

See Case Study

Strength in Midlife

This collaborative project with Westfield Health, will create an accessible, co-designed app that helps to democratise the health benefits of strength training and meet the specific exercise needs of women in midlife.

See Case Study