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Activity Funded

Epidemiology Research Unit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto

Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto

Reference
UID/04750/2025
Project Start Date
2025-01-01
Project End Date
2029-12-31
Principal Investigator
Scientific Area
Medical and health sciences
Funding Program
Avaliação UID 2023/2024

Abstract

EPIUnit prioritizes translating scientific outputs into public health solutions that are equitable and rooted in the human rights principles. This commitment extends to addressing the most salient public health challenges at both national and international levels. For the period of 2025-2029, we identified core objectives and tailored strategies: Planetary Health Challenges: EPIUnit will incorporate evolving planetary health challenges in its research agenda, such as urban health, the human exposome, and commercial and political determinants of health, by leveraging the potential of its research structures and collaborations. Community Engagement: We will continue to pursue the estimation of health inequalities, understanding the social determinants of health, particularly in underserved populations, by fostering citizen science and empowering citizen-led advocacy organizations. Focus on Key Research Areas: We will keep investing in research areas where we have critical mass and international recognition. These include, among others, growth and development, high-burden non-communicable and communicable diseases, urban and environmental health and One Health. Emergency Response: Building on experiences with COVID-19 and mpox, we aspire to be a responsive partner in public health emergencies fostering highly-integrated basic and responsive research. Implementation Research: We aim to span from individual healthcare to population health policy. This involves assessing the impact of different policies and interventions to improve research translation, and contribute to public health planning. Quantitative Methods and Data Privacy: We will advance quantitative methods to address contemporary questions, especially in the context of the digital transformation, while protecting individual data privacy. Capacity Building: We aim to make the difference in the capacity building of public health leaders and stakeholders focusing on lifelong education, and encouraging our researchers to pursue internationalization. Support to Research Structures: We will ensure support for unique research structures such as the Generation XXI birth cohort; a difficult challenge due to available funding models, but vital to maintain Portugal in the elite of longitudinal and life-course epidemiological research. EPIUnit plans to implement these objectives and ensure its sustainability through structural actions, including hiring researchers in key research areas, promoting international networking, identifying high-reward funding opportunities, and investing in lifelong education and stakeholder engagement. EPIUnit is organized in 32 individual labs; this atomized structure allows dynamic responses to evolving questions and accommodates diverse career trajectories. Its governance is structured in a Unit Coordinator, a board of researchers and activities supporting the commitment to scientific excellence, mentorship, and inclusiveness.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade do Porto Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia (UP EPIUnit)
  • Universidade do Porto Instituto de Saúde Pública (ISPUP)

Funding 2.712.060,24 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

2.712.060,24 €