Bristol Medical School

Pre-school health programme does not improve children’s diet or physical activity, prompting call for policy changes, study finds

18 December 2025

A pre-school diet and physical activity programme does not improve children’s calorie intake or overall physical activity levels in nursery settings, a new University of Bristol-led study has found. The research published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe today [18 December] highlights the need for policy-led rather than intervention-led approaches to improving young children’s health.

National partnership to tackle health inequalities in coastal communities awarded £2.4 million

15 February 2024

A national partnership led by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Liverpool has received £2.4 million to tackle health inequalities in coastal communities.

Autumn clock change linked to reduction in certain health conditions

17 December 2025

The week after the autumn clock change is associated with a reduction in demand for NHS services for sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, and psychiatric conditions in England, research led by the University of Bristol has found. The study is published in the Christmas issue of The BMJ today [17 December].

Medical student, 19, becomes pro Ironman triathlete

13 February 2024

A 19-year-old medicine student has just become a professional Ironman triathlete – despite only starting training in 2020.

Risk of death 12% higher for non-White children in England

12 February 2024

Twelve percent of infant deaths in England could be avoided if all infants in England had the same risk of death as White infants, a new University of Bristol-led study shows. Such a change, which equates to more than 200 deaths per year, would bring England – which currently has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Europe – in line with other EU nations.

Patient recovery after surgery for oesophageal cancer isn’t influenced by using standard or keyhole incisions

25 March 2024

New research has found no evidence of a difference between recovery time and complications when comparing standard and keyhole surgical incisions for the treatment of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet). The study, led by the University of Bristol Medical School and published in the British Journal of Surgery, showed surgeons treating patients with oesophageal cancer do not need to change their practice if they have a strong preference for either procedure type.

Researchers identify a genetic cause of intellectual disability affecting tens of thousands of people

31 May 2024

A neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by mutations in a single gene, affecting tens of thousands of people worldwide, has been identified by researchers. The work, published today [31 May] in Nature Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Bristol, KU Leuven, Belgium; and the NIHR BioResource (currently based at the University of Cambridge).

Prenatal exposure to air pollution associated with increased mental health risks

28 May 2024

A baby’s exposure to air pollution while in the womb is associated with the development of certain mental health problems once the infant reaches adolescence, new research has found. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Network Open today [28 May], examined the long-term mental health impact of early-life exposure to air and noise pollution.

New online resource to help healthcare professionals treat patients with infections after hip replacement surgery

21 March 2024

Although infection after hip replacement surgery is relatively rare (around 1 in 100), the impact on patients’ lives can be devastating. A new NHS England eLearning programme, website and toolkit has been developed to help healthcare professionals understand and implement best-practice guidelines on treating and supporting patients with prosthetic hip joint infection.

Family and media pressure to lose weight in adolescence linked to how people value themselves almost two decades later

16 April 2024

People who as teenagers felt pressure to lose weight from family or from the media, females, sexual minorities, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are most at risk of 'internalised' weight stigma, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe today [16 Apr].