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York Environmental Sustainability Institute
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Closing the Gap

A network to understand why people with severe mental illness have some of the worst physical health issues of any section of the population.

The Closing the Gap network is one of eight collaborative programmes in mental health funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in 2018, and is led by Professor Simon Gilbody based at the University of York and Hull York Medical School.

Context

People with severe mental ill health (SMI), comprising conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar illness experience some of the most profound health inequalities of any section of society.

Long term physical health problems, such as heart disease, respiratory illness and diabetes, develop much earlier in this group and are more common. Rates of smoking and obesity are much higher and physical activity is greatly reduced. Consequently, life expectancy is shortened by around 20 to 25 years.

Our challenge is to better understand and reduce this health gap or health inequality. For these reasons, we call ourselves the ‘Closing the Gap’ network.

Read more about the severe mental health illness categorisation.

Research priorities

  • Green and blue space: Can we harness green and blue space to improve the physical health and well being of people with SMI?
  • Big data: Using ‘big data’ to improve physical health among people with SMI.
  • Digital technologies: How can we harness digital technologies to improve physical health and well being of people with SMI?
  • Co-design and creativity: How can we use co-design and creativity to improve physical health and wellbeing?

 

Key York Contacts

Green and blue spaces

Professor Piran White


Big data

Professor Rowena Jacobs, Centre for Health Economics,University of York.


Digital technologies

Dr Lina Gega, Department of Health Sciences and Hull York Medical School, and

Dr Sebastian Deterding, Digital Creativity Labs, University of York


Co-design and creativity 

Dr Deborah Maxwell, School of Arts and Creative Technologies, University of York

Principal and Co-Investigators

Prinicipal Investiator

Professor Piran White, Department of Environment and Geography


Co-Investigator

Professor Rowena Jacobs, Centre for Health Economics,University of York.

External Partners

University of Keele

Mental Health Foundation 

The Equality Trust

Funder

UKRI grant ES/S004459/1. D.S.