Research Health Promotion
At Maastricht University, research efforts are organised within schools. The department of Health Promotion participates in the CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, and in the NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism.
CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care
Within CAPHRI, the full range of strategies and topics for health promotion is covered. Health topics vary from tobacco and health, alcohol abuse and dependency, HIV/AIDS, physical activity, nutrition, mental health, inequity in health to intersectoral policies for health promotion. There is a large group of persons working on health communication strategies, with a special focus on e-health and computer tailoring of health messages. Using our general approach of planned, science-based development of interventions, this implies a careful analysis of health problems, determinants and individual factors. At other ecological levels, attention goes to the family, schools, the neighbourhood and to local policy makers. Gradually, research within medical of paramedical settings is increasing. Importantly, there always is research in cooperation with persons from developing countries (mainly Sub-Saharan Africa). There is a strong cooperation with local practice and policy in the Academic Center for Public Health Limburg.
NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism
Within NUTRIM, the focus is on energy-balance related problems, again combining individual with higher order ecological levels. In general, there is a strong focus on the interaction between individual and environmental determinants, leading to the development and evaluation of new interventions. These concern physical activity and nutrition, with a special focus on (very) young persons, on disadvantaged communities and on environmental interventions to improve health.