1. Public health research in Europe Mark McCarthy (University College London) Levels of health sciences molecules cells organs people populations Laboratory Clinical - individual Public health

2. Health research spend in UK % of total health budget private & public research spend 7% public research 2.5% HSR research 0.3%

3. Research for policy support (‘translational research’) Good primary research Secondary databases ‘Tertiary products’ Implementation research

4. Public health research … The scientific study of improving the health of the population broad determinants, health promotion and health services not usually randomised controlled trials intervention more than aetiology

5. Is this science? basic (‘curiosity-driven’) and strategic (‘agenda-driven’) research both deliver practical benefits not ‘art of the possible’ (Medawar) but ‘science of the difficult’

6. DG Health: first programme Issues disease-based, not linked to outcomes selection not transparent not linked to other DGs

7. FP5 public health: retrospect Issues disease rather than ‘system’ focus rarely using European variation population studies observational rather than evaluative

8. FP6: how will it be for you? Issues thematic research (big money) gone to basic research (except cancer) policy research (small money) spread among several DGs - health focus limited Little engagement on public health from national governments / European Science Foundation