Getting closer to personalised treatments for eating disorders
A new study reveals further insight into the links between personality traits and the onset of eating disorder symptoms
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Supporting researchers to shape healthcare policy and practice
Our latest Changing Policy and Practice awardees
We're delighted to announce two new Changing Policy and Practice Awards. This funding will allow our awardees to share their research findings and recommendations with patients, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers.
Our Changing Policy and Practice (CPP) Awards, which we make twice a year, are designed to ensure that discoveries made by Foundation or Medical Research Council (MRC)-funded researchers can reach a wider audience, beyond the scientific press.
These awards, of up to £30,000, provide extra support to researchers to maximise the real-world impact of their research, with the aim of influencing healthcare and behaviour.
Previously, our CPP funding has enabled researchers to develop policy reports, tailor communications to tackle misinformation, and run workshops for policymakers and local people affected by health issues.
Read about our most recently awarded projects below:
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the fetal brain
Dr Katie Long from King’s College London will be working with expert panels and patient groups to assess current perceptions of COVID-19 risk to fetal development.
Previous research carried out by Dr Long and her team has found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, can infect the fetal brain during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, leading to haemorrhages and affecting the functionality of blood vessels.
The CPP funding will enable Dr Long to develop a targeted media strategy and policy pack to share with pregnant mothers, maternity services and key policy makers, to ensure that those making decisions regarding COVID-19, vaccination and pregnancy are fully informed.
Disseminating the PEACE pathway
Prof Kate Tchanturia and Dr Zhuo Li from King’s College London will be helping healthcare professionals to implement autism-friendly adjustments to clinical practices and treatments for eating disorders.
Past research has shown that patients with autism may be unlikely to respond to existing treatments for eating disorders such as anorexia. The PEACE pathway is specifically designed to address this issue; to adapt standard treatments for eating disorders to make them more suitable for people with neuro-diverse needs.
In collaboration with the South London and Maudsley National Eating Disorders Service, the team will develop and share PEACE-related findings and resources. This will foster greater awareness of neurodiversity in healthcare settings and promote more effective, person-centred care for people with co-occurring autism and eating disorders.
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