The scientific foundation of the research and transfer activities of the department “Prevention and Evaluation” lies in a population-based epidemiological approach that uses and develops the insights of risk factor research. Research in the department "Prevention and Evaluation" aims at

• obtaining new insights into social determinants of health risks and factors of promoting health,
• developing, evaluating and implementing innovative Public Health interventions for non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, and
• analysing the effectiveness of Public Health interventions with regard to aspects of equality in the fields of prevention, health promotion, and health care.
• supporting evidence based development of Digital Public Health by rating and evaluating digital technologies in prevention and health promotion.
   

Main Research Areas of the Department

The department comprises two interdisciplinary units (Applied Health Intervention Research and Social Epidemiology) and a research group on Implementation Research and Mental Health. The department also hosts an associated research group on Evidence-based Public Health.

The Social Epidemiology Unit focusses on the topic "Diversity and Health" with regard to migration, ageing, and sex/gender. We examine e.g. cancer among persons with migrant background, physical activity in older persons, and issues of equality of care in prevention and therapy. Moreover, we conduct methods research aimed at the improvement of recruiting groups which are difficult to access for epidemiological research.

Regarding intervention research, we are particularly interested in evidence-based concepts of interventions for prevention and health promotion. Diet, physical activity, and substance use are our main fields of application. E- and M-health approaches for prevention are examined systematically. Adding to that, we keep up a long tradition in science based counselling and support of social institutions such as child day care centers or senior citizens' homes with particular regard to nutritional and hygiene concepts.

The unit on implementation research aims to close the implementation gap by addressing barriers that impede the uptake of evidence-based practices into routine health care, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of health services. We are also investigating methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence-based interventions and research into regular use by practitioners and policy makers. We have a particular focus on mental health.

The Department Prevention and Evaluation carries out its own reviews and methodological work in the context of Evidence Based Public Health and is one of the founders of the International Cochrane Public Health Europe (CPHE) group.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020, scientists of the department have developed and conducted new research projects concerning the pandemic. On a local as well as national and international level, important issues have been answered with a high media coverage.

Many of the department's scientists are actively involved in the Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health (spokesperson: Hajo Zeeb) in close cooperation with the University of Bremen and the Fraunhofer-Intitute for Digital Medicine MEVIS. Our overarching scientific goal is to promote interdisciplinary research in connection with digitization and public health.

A special role within research transfer is being held by the “Leibniz Living Lab – Gesundheitswerkstatt Osterholz” since 2021, which is our community-based lab in Bremen-Osterholz. The premise consists of an office with adjacent seminar room for events, workshops and research activities. The plan is to develop the Leibniz Living Lab into a joint research facility with the University of Bremen, in particular Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences.

In terms of interdepartmental research, the department coordinates the following research areas:

• Physical activity research (PAR)
  The aim of the working group PAR is to advance BIPS research in the field of physical activity promotion with a focus on children and adolescents. Based on the National Recommendations for Physical Activity and Physical Activity Promotion, and in particular building on the scientific basis of the ACTIPROS project, PAR coordinates the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions for physical activity promotion in childhood and adolescence.
• Occupational, radiation and environmental epidemiology
  For the investigation of health effects of ionizing and UV radiation in the general population or special groups (patients, occupationally exposed persons) the department has special expertise, which is also reflected in international collaborations, e.g. with the University of Nagasaki and in the Horizon 2020 project HARMONIC.

Hajo Zeeb
Head of Department

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Hajo Zeeb
Tel: +49 (0)421 218-56902
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941

Email:
zeeb(at)leibniz-bips.de

Daniela Fuhr
Deputy Head of Department
(Head of Research Group)

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Daniela Fuhr
Tel +49 (0)421 21856 900 (secr.) / 21856 754 (dir.) 
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941

Email:
fuhr(at)leibniz-bips.de

Kirsty Cameron
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56900
cameron(at)leibniz-bips.de