DECIPHer Turns 15: Celebrating a legacy of public health impact

The centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), which is funded by Health and Care Research Wales, celebrated its 15th birthday this week.

Current and former colleagues from the centre, along with collaborators and partners attended the event - DECIPHer Turns 15! - on January 21 at Cardiff University's Social Science Research Park (SPARK).

Speakers from the centre, Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government and Cardiff University highlighted how DECIPHer’s work on improving the health and wellbeing of children has left a lasting mark on public health policies and practices, not just in Wales but around the world.

Focusing on topics such as mental health, diet and nutrition, and smoking prevention, the centre has published 938 academic papers, supported 53 PhDs to completion and brought over £163m in grants to Cardiff University.

Professor Simon Murphy, Director of DECIPHer, said: “Celebrations like this are really important as it’s an opportunity to say thank you.

“It’s been an exciting and rewarding 15 years. There are going to be more years and they’re going to be equally as rewarding and exciting.”

“A tremendous impact in Wales”

One example of DECIPHer’s impact is its evaluation of the Primary School Free Breakfast Initiative which led to sustained funding for the programme.

This meant that by 2016/17, 66% of primary schools in Wales had implemented the initiative - improving children’s nutrition and readiness to learn.

Its innovative peer-led smoking prevention program, ASSIST, has empowered over 160,000 students and extended beyond Wales to countries like France, Colombia, and Northern Ireland.

The centre is also unique for its research advisory group, Advice Leading to Public Health Advancement (ALPHA), of young people aged 14-25 living in south Wales.

The group has shared their views and helped to shape over 100 research projects.

Speaking about the centre, Dr Julie Bishop, Director of health improvement at Public Health Wales and DECIPHer co-investigator said: “It has a global impact and a tremendous impact in Wales.”

The centre will continue to focus on current research strengths including mental health, substance use and sexual health and plans to apply its expertise to emerging public health challenges in the future.