Health and wellbeing

Regardless of age and background, we are all affected by our health and that of the people around us. At the university, we are committed to understanding and promoting health and wellbeing, from vital research into diabetes to encouraging students and staff to take part in sport and exercise, and also by becoming a health-promoting university, embedding health into the structure and daily life of the organisation. We have a large and diverse population and many opportunities to influence the wider community, so supporting health and wellbeing locally and globally is very important to us.

You can contribute towards a healthier future by supporting the University of Brighton.

Health matters

One outstanding example is our work in exploring healthy ageing. Research undertaken by our academics in this field has shed new light on what causes memory and learning problems in older people.

These findings have increased our understanding of the ageing process and eventually, could allow it to be slowed. Loss of health in later life could be avoided altogether or improved through the development of new pharmaceutical treatments. We are also exploring what older people value in later life and the concept of active ageing.

In this work, colleagues have been working directly with older people, seeking their views and encouraging them to be actively involved in the research.

Diet and exercise is important to people with, and those with the potential to develop, type 2 diabetes. Researchers are exploring the mechanisms behind type 2 and type 1 diabetes to develop new ways to treat and prevent the disease. The diabetes research group also helps people who are obese to adapt their lifestyle, lose weight and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

The Universities of Brighton and Sussex are immensely proud of our joint medical school as it heads towards its second decade, with a strong reputation for making a real impact to medical research nationally and internationally. Ultimately, the medical school aims to improve treatment, answer fundamental biomedical and clinical questions and deliver more personalised healthcare to patients. In areas such as biomedical science, neuroscience, cancer treatment and infection, we are looking to make a rapid and real difference to quality of life.

By bringing together the expertise of both universities, the medical school offers researchers the very best in facilities, support and opportunities for collaboration. We work closely with the local NHS trusts allowing us to interact with the local population and to benefit their health, while developing research work which can be applied nationally and internationally.

Supporting student wellbeing

Our students are increasingly involved in promoting health and wellbeing, for example through the Students’ Union wellbeing zone. This zone is one of four in the Students’ Union aimed at meeting the changing needs of our student community. The wellbeing zone offers help with issues including healthy eating, reducing exam stress, personal and professional mentoring, childcare, sexual health, stopping smoking, and drug and alcohol awareness. An important objective of the wellbeing zone is to provide opportunities for students to volunteer, support one another and get involved in events and campaigns, whilst enhancing their own employability skills.

Sport for all

Sport Brighton helps students, staff, alumni and members of the local community to improve their fitness levels, participate in competitive sports, gain coaching qualifications or just to have fun with their friends. A new sports centre, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, was opened recently at our Falmer campus.