Research and evaluation are crucial to the Heart of Mersey (HoM) Coronary Heart Disease Prevention Programme.

HoM has commissioned a number of quantitative and qualitative research projects to provide baseline data for interventions. These have included The Greater Merseyside Lifestyle Study (2003) and 'In Sickness and In Health' (2005).  The latter is a study into health and health-related behaviour of Greater Merseyside residents, with a particular focus on cardiovascular disease (CVD).

HoM commissioned the Health Survey for England to collect data from a random sample of 1,000 Greater Merseyside residents based on interviews, physical examinations and blood samples.

The survey revealed a number of concerns about the health of Merseyside people when compared with the rest of England. It highlighted in particular a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and obesity, higher total levels of blood cholesterol and a high smoking prevalence. It also exposed the stark inequalities in health that have contributed to the high levels of coronary heart disease (CHD) in this region.

The information from this study provides baseline data about the adult population's health and it also informs HoM and its partners about issues that affect cardiovascular health.

The HoM Research Programme is co-ordinated and supported by a multi-disciplinary Research Group, chaired by Simon Capewell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at The University of Liverpool.

Research Programme Manager Dr. Ffion Lloyd-Williams is responsible for supporting HoM to advance its Research Strategy and in particular enable:

• The development and funding of groundbreaking research
• Analysis of baseline information from surveys and focus groups
• Identification of evidence to support and evaluate HoM interventions

Dr. Lloyd-Williams' post is hosted by the University of Liverpool.