The Multi-theory Model of Health Behavior Change: Understanding Meditation, or ‘Dhyana’ | Professor Manoj Sharma

The Multi-theory Model of Health Behavior Change: Understanding Meditation, or ‘Dhyana’ | Professor Manoj Sharma

Meditation is the regular, purposeful practice of becoming aware of one’s bodily sensations, thoughts, or other points of focus. Professor Manoj Sharma, a global health promotion leader and Chair of the Social and Behavioral Health department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, wished to test whether a health behavioral model that he developed could explain why adults begin and maintain a meditation practice. While this multi-theory model – or ‘MTM’ – has been applied to many health-related behaviors, two domains are core to the model: initiation of a health behavior and sustenance of this behavior.

Dr Maggie O’Haire | Dr Kerri Rodriguez – Service Dogs: Understanding Their Impact on Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Dr Maggie O’Haire | Dr Kerri Rodriguez – Service Dogs: Understanding Their Impact on Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event, such as being part of military combat. Dr Maggie O’Haire and Dr Kerri Rodriguez at Purdue University in the USA and their colleagues are working to better understand why and how PTSD service dogs may improve PTSD symptoms among military veterans.

Professor Manoj Sharma | The Multi-theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change: Understanding the Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening

Professor Manoj Sharma | The Multi-theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change: Understanding the Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women overall but there are stark differences in breast cancer risk and survival rates between racial and ethnic groups. Breast cancers must be detected at an early stage to ensure timely treatment and the reduction of premature mortality. Professor Manoj Sharma from the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, USA, is working with colleagues to gain an in-depth understanding of the determinants of undertaking mammogram screening in typically under-represented groups with a view to improving health through behaviour change.

Access to Human Tissue for Collaborative Research

Access to Human Tissue for Collaborative Research

The Collaborative Biorepository for Translational Medicine (CBTM) is based at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. Professor Kourosh Saeb-Parsy and the team work to provide reliable access to fresh tissue for collaborative research and to ensure the generously donated tissue has the best chance to make a positive impact.