The Policy Pod

Dr Wassim Dbouk from Public Policy|Southampton and Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute attended COP28 as part of the Lebanese delegation. In this interview podcast, he shared his reflections on his experience at the summit, highlighting the challenges which the research community faces in engaging with the COP process.

Read his blog here.

In this podcast, we explore the MELD-B project, a pioneering study on early-onset burdensome multimorbidity. Learn about its origins, the significance of "burdensomeness," and how stakeholders from patients to policymakers view and tackle this issue. Discover how types of burden are identified and grouped, revolutionizing our approach to complex health challenges. Join us for a deep dive into MELD-B's transformative research.

Learn more about the project here: Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Life Course Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B)

A recent publication to read: A conceptual framework for characterising lifecourse determinants of multiple long-term condition multimorbidity

Get ready to be inspired as Andrew opens up about his educational journey and career trajectory in the fields of mathematics and physics, providing a unique perspective that sets the stage for this enthralling discussion.

For a deeper dive into the FEVER project, make sure to visit their official website at FEVER

In this episode Dr Emilia Holland and Dr Simon Fraser talk about how their research will help in understanding when multiple long-term condition multi-morbidity (MLTC-M) becomes ‘burdensome’ and the best opportunities for intervention.

Background 

A growing number of people are living with several long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, depression or dementia. We call this multiple long-term condition multi-morbidity (MLTC-M). Many things throughout a person’s life influence the chances of developing health conditions. This includes their biology (e.g. age, ethnicity), things that happen to them (e.g. infections, accidents), behaviours (e.g. smoking, diet) and broader experiences (e.g. the environment people grew up in, their education, work, income). People from more disadvantaged backgrounds and/or certain ethnicities are more likely to develop MLTC-M and to develop it earlier. The impact (or ‘burden’) of MLTC-M, and the order that people develop conditions, also vary. 

The project page: Research project: Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Lifecourse Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B)

New publication: A conceptual framework for characterising lifecourse determinants of multiple long-term condition multimorbidity

Dr Natasha Campling and Professor Sue Latter discuss ways to improve access to medicines and support palliative care at home. 

Background- 

Patient and carer access to medicines during the last 12 months of life (end-of-life) is critical for control of symptoms, including pain and distress, and for reducing urgent, unplanned use of healthcare services. However, data from our previous studies suggested that prescription, dispensing, supply and associated information given about medicines are experienced by patients as often difficult, demanding, lacking co-ordination, and involves a multiplicity of professionals. Although evidence is suggestive of patient and carer access problems with traditional service delivery systems, including General Practitioner care, little is known about this. Additionally, there are indications that critical sectors of the end-of-life workforce – palliative care nurse specialists and community pharmacists - are currently under-utilised.

Furthermore, whilst there are some promising innovations in end-of-life care models, the impact of these on patient access to medicines, as well as their cost-effectiveness comparative to more traditional delivery models, remains largely un-evaluated. Our recent research also suggests that the supply chain ‘upstream’ may be a contributing factor to the complexity and problems with access experienced by patients.  

In this episode Dr Chrissie Jones talks about how traditionally, pregnant women have been excluded from research regarding interventional trials and educational strategies related to preventing infections during pregnancy. 

In this episode of ‘Policy Pod’ we are joined by Professor Jonathan Havercroft to discuss his project on just and unjust riots and how it has developed throughout his career. He discusses how riots throughout history are received differently depending on the political climate, and how this affects subsequent policy developments. Moreover, he discusses how this is relevant in informing the current landscape with the rise in protest surrounding Black Lives Matter and Climate Justice campaigns.

In this final special episode on Transformational Coasts, we hear from three experts about the changing coastlines in the east of England.

• Peter Aldous, describes the importance of a strategic, evidence-based approach, working with communities, on the ever-evolving coastline.

Pod cast Hosts- 

• Dr Sien van der Plank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Exeter / Visting Researcher, University of Southampton  

In the second special episode on Transformational Coasts, we hear from three experts about the changing coastlines of England, with specific consideration of south coast locations.

• Tim Loughton discusses the particular challenges and exciting opportunities of coastal communities.

Pod cast hosts- 

• Dr Sien van der Plank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Exeter / Visting Researcher, University of Southampton