The School has a long-established reputation for social science research on health and ill-health in resource-limited settings, and currently focuses its expertise on two / three important global health challenges:

HIV and AIDS.  
Current or recent research examines access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the implications of the medication, for People Living with HIV (PLWH). Research focuses on people's self-management of HIV as a chronic condition. It examines the social and economic challenges of HIV self-management in resource-limited settings, the factors enabling positive or adaptive self-management strategies, and good adherence. Research has also assessed the quality of life of PLWH, finding that quality of life among PLWH on ART can be higher than for others in the same communities. Other work on HIV focuses on changing patterns of HIV stigmatisation emerging as a result of ART.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings.

NCDs, including stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are already the leading cause of death and illness in developing countries -more than the combined impact of infectious diseases and undernutrition. Despite this, they tend to be neglected as a development issue. Our research is assessing the consequences of these emerging epidemics and includes:
1) A study in Uganda focusing on hypertension, diabetes and respiratory illness among older people living with HIV, including those on anti-retroviral therapy.
2) Research in Nigeria, Mexico, China and Peru on the economic and social effects of stroke and dementia on affected households.
3) Collaborative research with the World Health Organisation on the social determinants of hypertension across six countries.