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AHRU research

We explore variation in the incidence and prevalence of health problems and care pathways and assess the effectiveness of the delivery of health and social care, through observational analysis of large-scale data, evidence synthesis, randomised trials, mixed methods and qualitative research. We aim to optimise the equitable delivery of health and social care and reduce the burden of disease and care needs. 

Quantifying the burden of disease 

Fundamental to tackling the burden of disease is quantifying the burden by time, place and person. We do this by reporting on cause-specific hospitalisation and mortality rates over time (using both contemporary and historical data covering up to six decades), by geographical area, and by identifying high-risk groups. 
Group B Streptococcal Disease in England  
Trends in the Incidence and Recurrence of Inpatient-Treated Spontaneous Pneumothorax, 1968-2016 
Venous thromboembolism risk in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis  

Responding to health needs 

  1. Near real-time analyses of hospital admissions 
    During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,  we reported the effect on secondary care for cardiovascular disease and a reduction in hospital admissions for acute coronary syndromes in all acute hospitals across England which informed a revised government message from 'Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives' to 'Help us help you: NHS urges public to get care when they need it'. 

  1. Quantifying the effect of COVID-19 on cancer care 
    We provided quantitative information about the time course of changes in the diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer in NHS England during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing urgent action is needed to address the growing burden of undetected and untreated colorectal cancer in England. 

  1. Indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on secondary care for childhood infections in England 
    Following the lifting of restrictions we were among the first to report post-pandemic outbreaks of infections presenting to hospitals such as childhood infection and Group A Streptococcus-related disease. 

  1. Hospital at home as an alternative to hospital admission for an older population 
    We found that 'hospital at home' could be clinically and cost-effective and that patients preferred being treated at home to hospital admission. This led to the implementation of hospital at home services across the UK. 

 Tackling inequalities 

  1. Understanding inequalities in maternity care 
    We studied the variation in maternal care, highlighting to clinicians, policymakers and women, that urgent action is needed to reduce socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in maternal health outcomes. 

  1. Identifying research evidence investigating cancer inequalities 
    We identified evidence to help inform a national strategy to optimise cancer services and outcomes and ultimately help reduce cancer inequalities. 

  1. REAL Demand Unit 
    Funded by The Health Foundation, we seek to understand the role of social and health conditions in driving the long-term demand social care. 

Supporting clinical trials 

  1. Supporting data-enabled trials 
    We work closely with members of the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU) and beyond, to help support data-enabled trials, using large-scale national health data to inform trial feasibility, recruitment criteria, and trial representativeness and generalisability. Examples of trials we have supported in this way include RECOVERY, DIRECT, and ASCEND PLUS.   

Patient and unpaid carer experiences and outcomes 

  1. Exploring patient and unpaid carer experiences and outcomes of health and social care to identify unmet need 

  1. Identifying how patient and carer generated data can be used to improve quality, safety and outcomes of health and social care 

  1. Developing patient and carer-reported outcome measures and implementing outcomes-based approaches in health and care services (e.g. the Long-Term Conditions Questionnaire) 

Supporting researchers 

  1. NIHR Research Support Service 
    We provide advice to researchers across England on preparing competitive research funding applications for national peer-reviewed schemes and on post-award delivery. 

  1. Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) 
    We facilitate the access, storage, use and processing of anonymised patient data collected from a network of GP practices across the UK and supplied by CPRD. We support our researchers to conduct high-quality research investigating drug safety, use of medicines, effectiveness of health policy, health care delivery and disease risk factors. 

  1. COloRECTal cancer Repository (CORECT-R) 
    CORECT-R contains data from across the cancer pathway that can be used in research in the diagnosis, treatment and outcome and survival of colorectal cancer, to drive improvements in care and outcomes.