Characterisation of risk factors and their mechanisms in the development of both common and relatively understudied conditions

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, chronic and infectious respiratory diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders are the leading causes of death globally and in the UK. Although major risk factors have been identified for some of these diseases, there is limited information regarding the role of other potential risk factors, or on the potential mechanisms underlying these associations, particularly for the less common conditions. We aim to establish which factors are causally associated with disease, elucidate the mechanisms underlying such relationships and identify those individuals at greatest risk of specific diseases. This work will complement and extend the work being carried out in other large cohort studies (such as the Million Women Study and EPIC) and collaborations within the Cancer Epidemiology Unit. The findings from this work and from other multiple large studies within the Unit will contribute to a greater understanding of potentially modifiable risk factors for several common and emerging diseases and allow more targeted screening and therapeutic interventions.