Professor Campbell said: "Health inequalities and poor health generally are major problems in the UK which place increasing demands on the NHS. Yet much of this can be prevented if we can identify effective ways to improve health and well being and reduce health inequalities.

"The key to DECIPHer's success will be to work in partnership with policy makers, practitioners and the  public at all stages to ensure that the research carried out is relevant to their needs and has an impact on the health of the public .  As well as making a mark on the UK Public Health Research landscape, the aim will be to make a lasting impact on the health of children and young people across the South West of England, Wales and internationally."

A total of 20million was invested to establish the five Centres of Excellence across the UK by a partnership of funders. The funders who supported the initiative came together under the umbrella of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) to develop this co-ordinated approach to strengthen public health research in the UK.

The official launch of the Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), will take place on Wednesday 13 May at the Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.

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