Good public health policy must be science based. In this research group we attempt to close the existing gap between researchers, decision makers and practitioners, so that we may find effective initiatives that promote good mental health and quality of life in our population.
This work is carried out in cooperation with Healthy Cities – WHOs Norwegian network and nine selected municipalities (Asker, Bodø, Kristiansand, Gol, Hemsedal, Hol, Nes, Ål, Flå). Together we will develop new models and structures for cooperation, strengthen the quality of interventions carried out in municipalities and improve the use and effect of evidence-based research in political initiatives and practices.
We develop and strengthen intervention research by:
- Providing efficient knowledge transfer between sectors by translating user group input into research questions and aims, and similarly translate research findings into applicable user knowledge and interventions.
- Developing a municipality-based system for identifying needs, as well as for selecting and implementing promising interventions.
- Evaluating stand-alone interventions and structural initiatives that have been implemented to improve mental health and wellbeing.
How we work:
In addition to close communication with the practice and policy fields, we will use a range of data sources including national register data and health surveys like Ungdata, the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Survey and the county public health surveys. We will also collect data from intervention studies. Data will primarily be analyzed through various quantitative statistical methods.