What does the future hold for chronic disease #prevention research? New paper from @TAPPCentre @LucieRychetnik @leahmarksy @profaw out today in @anzjph https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1753-6405.13028 1/n

This commentary is based on a report we developed at @TAPPCentre https://preventioncentre.org.au/chronic-disease-and-systems/the-future-of-chronic-disease-prevention-research/ to start a conversation on a new phase of our program of research & where we think chronic disease prevention research should/could go next. Some ideas… 2/n

In our report on the last 5 years of prevention research & policy, we identify 5 main thematic areas that we think represent many opportunities for the future of prevention research (note: this list is not exhaustive – feel free to add!) 3/n

Theme 1: The way we produce & consume food in the 21st century is a major risk. We can’t just focus on nutrients but need to take more of a systems approach & utilising different levers within the food system for improved health @_Amanda_J_Lee_ @SharonFrielOz @gary_sacks 4/n

Theme 2: places & spaces in which we live & work are crucial to support good health. Better urban & city planning & transport systems could help increase physical activity with many other co-benefits such as reduced air & noise pollution @billiegc @DrMelodyDing @AdrianBauman 5/n

Theme 3: The causes of environmental destruction & climate change are the same causes of chronic disease. Priority research is building in prevention, such as thru planetary health, but we need more interdisciplinary collaboration. @AUclimatehealth @donnalisa_green 6/n

Theme 4: Researchers & policymakers have been expanding the determinants of health beyond #SDoH to include commercial, economic & legal determinants. This reflects an increasing trend towards #systems & complexity thinking. @JanShanthosh @JaithriA @NauTracy 7/n

Theme 5: Personalised prevention thru digital health, precision medicine & big data is promising, but there are major q’s regarding how will/can address existing inequities 8/n

So in summary, let’s move on from the 4x4 approach for chronic disease (4 main risk factors, 4 main diseases). Instead, let’s look at the ‘causes of the causes’ & systems driving poor health for all, esp systems that perpetuate & entrench inequalities 9/n

We must develop new tools & methods for prevention research that acknowledge complexity & positions prevention as driving systems-wide change. Some examples of newer methods include dynamic simulation modelling https://preventioncentre.org.au/resources/dynamic_simulation_modelling/ @TAPPCentre @SaxInstitute @CSART_world 10/n

We need to build partnerships & collaborations between sectors, policymakers, practitioners & researchers – what @TAPPCentre has been driving since first funded in 2013, & now with many different groups @LukeWolfenden @HelenaTeede @AnnaPeetersAus @CancerCouncilOz @VicHealth 11/n

We also need to develop the case for prevention by looking at co-benefits & multiple benefits. Doing less of the describing the ‘what’ of the problem’ & do more demonstrating ‘how’ can we change this system is what we need going forward @allendersteve 12/n

Finally, effective preventive action isn’t easy - for individuals, communities & governments. As researchers we need to acknowledge & use this to inform the work we do going forward & better engage the public! @acgrunseit @samrowbotham @ylaird206 13/n

Have a read of the commentary, or see our #evidencebrief summary https://preventioncentre.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Evidence-Brief_Future-of-prevention_July-2020.pdf. And get touch if you’re interested in collaborating with us at @TAPPCentre! 14/n