Staff Profile

Introduction

I trained as a speech and language therapist, working in Newcastle upon Tyne, London and Mumbai before embarking on a post-doctoral research career in 1990. Until 2000, I worked on environmental epidemiology studies investigating the health of communities living near industry. Since 2000, I have researched on the topics of aging, social & health inequalities, welfare and social prescribing. My current and long-term interests are in the health and well-being of older people, the impact of changes to the welfare state, tackling health and social inequalities, evaluating the impact of social prescribing and applying research to policy and practice.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Ist Class, Speech Pathology & Therapy, University of Manchester, 1982
PhD University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990
MsC Sociology Health & Health Care (Distinction) University College London, 2004

Memberships

British Society of Gerontology 

Research Interests

My main research interests concern the health and well-being of older people, tackling poverty and social exclusion and the impact of changes to the welfare system on health and wellbeing. I have carried out extensive research into the impact of welfare rights advice on people over state retirement age and ethnic minority elders, funded by the Department of Health and Age Concern.

I am interested in methodological issues, particularly the integration of quantitative and qualitative methods, straddling the boundaries between epidemiology and sociology, particularly the limitations of quantitative and qualitative methods alone within public health research, as well as mixed methods research. I have considerable experience in involving participants and the wider public in research and have disseminated research findings to a wide range of academic and non-academic audiences and have published on this topic. As a result, a number of studies in which I have been engaged have influenced health and social policy.

Current and Recent Funding

NIHR Public Health Research (Call 16/122 Community groups and health promotion) 2018-2020, £517,932 Impact of a community based social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in an ethnically diverse area of high socio-economic deprivation. Exploiting a natural experiment to evaluate effects on health and health care utilisation with economic assessment and ethnographic observation. Principal Investigator

 Centre for Ageing Better 2017-2018,£74,155, Evaluation of Transitions in Later Life (phase 2). Co-investigator (Principle Investigator, Dr Martin Hyde, Swansea University).

 Newcastle University Institute for Ageing and Institute for Social Renewal “Social Interactions of Ageing” 2017-2018, £16,978.78, Investigating intergenerational relations during austerity and following ‘Brexit’: a comparative study of Sunderland, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Principal Investigator.

 NIHR School for Public Health Research Public Health Practitioner Evaluation Scheme 2016-2017, £51,609, Ways to Wellness: feasibility study of the impact of a social prescribing intervention. Principal Investigator.

 Centre for Ageing Better 2016-2017,£48,950, Inequalities in Later Life – a scoping review. Co-investigator (PI Prof Tom Scharf, Newcastle University).

 Newcastle University Institute for Ageing 2016-2017, £9887, Can social prescribing maintain improved health among older chronically ill people? Principal Investigator.

 Public Health England, 2016-2017, £60,000, Northern Health Equity Review Network Healthier Lives and Fairer Lives in the North. Co-investigator (Principal Investigator, Prof Eileen Kaner, Newcastle University).

 Cabinet Office 2015-2016. £99,813. Evaluation of the Ways to Wellness Ltd Social Impact Bond. Principal Investigator.

 Chief Scientist Office Scotland, 2015-2017. £211,197 FInWell: Fair credit, health and wellbeing: eliciting the perspectives of low-income individuals.  Co-investigator. (Principle Investigator, Professor Cam Donaldson, Glasgow Caledonian University)

Postgraduate Teaching

Contribute to MSc Public Health Modules

Degree Programme Director, MSc in Public Health and Health Services Research Module Leader for Health and Society Module. (2010-2014)

PHD Students

2018 Alison Jane, Impact of the roll out of Universal credit on health and wellbeing, School for Public Health Research

2017 Bethan Griffiths, Ethnography of Social Prescribing in Primary Care, funded by ESRC North-East Doctoral Training Centre ( 3 collaborative award)

2016 Tash Fothergill Misbah, Parkinson’s disease in sub Saharan Africa, funded by ESRC North-East Doctoral Training Centre (.5 3 collaborative award)

2016 Gemma Spiers, Exploring the relationship between social care and health care utilisation for older adults, funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research

2016 Hannah Merrick, The experiences of grandparenting children with special needs, funded by ESRC North-East Doctoral Training Centre ( 3 collaborative award)

2015 Joel Halligan, The impacts of welfare reform on income, health, wellbeing and diet: a mixed-methods study of a deprived area in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, funded by ESRC North-East Doctoral Training Centre (.5 3 collaborative award)

External Examiner

Southampton University MSc Gerontology, MSc Global Aging

• Wildman JM, Goulding A, Moffatt S, Scharf T, Stenning A. Intergenerational equity, equality and reciprocity in economically and politically turbulent time: narratives from across generations. Ageing and Society 2022, 42(10), 2284-2303.
• Gibson K, Pollard TM, Moffatt S. Social prescribing and classed inequality: A journey of upward health mobility?. Social Science and Medicine 2021, 280, 114037.
• Davenport B, Newman A, Moffatt S. The Impact on Older People’s Wellbeing of Leaving Heritage Volunteering and the Challenges of Managing this Process. The Qualitative Report 2021, 26(2), 334-351.
• Fothergill-Misbah N, Moffatt S, Mwithiga H, Hampshire K, Walker R. The role of support groups in the management of Parkinson’s disease in Kenya: Sociality, information and legitimacy. Global Public Health 2022, 17(8), 1773-1783.
• McGowan L, Joyes E, Adams E, Richmond C, Shabaninejad H, Beyer F, Broadbridge A, Dobson K, Landes D, Moffat S, Watt R, Sniehotta F, Paisi M, Bambra C, Craig D, Kaner E, Ramsay S. Systematic review of oral health and related health behaviour interventions in adults with severe and multiple disadvantages. PROSPERO 2020, CRD42020202416.
• Wildman JM, Valtorta N, Moffatt S, Hanratty B. ‘What works here doesn’t work there’: The significance of local context for a sustainable and replicable asset‐based community intervention aimed at promoting social interaction in later life. Health and Social Care in the Community 2019, 27(4), 1102-1110.
• Howel D, Moffatt S, Haighton C, Bryant A, Becker F, Steer M, Lawson S, Aspray T, Milne EMG, Vale L, McColl E, White M. Does domiciliary welfare rights advice improve health-related quality of life in independent-living, socio-economically disadvantaged people aged ≥60 years? Randomised controlled trial, economic and process evaluations in the North East of England. PLoS ONE 2019, 14(1), e0209560.
• Spiers G, Matthews FE, Moffatt S, Barker R, Jarvis H, Stow D, Kingston A, Hanratty B. Does older adults’ use of social care influence their healthcare utilisation? A systematic review of international evidence. Health & Social Care in the Community 2019, 27(5), e651-e662.
• Addison M, Kaner E, Johnstone P, Hillier-Brown F, Moffatt S, Russell S, Barr B, Holland P, Salway S, Whitehead M, Bambra C. Equal North: How can we reduce health inequalities in the North of England? A prioritisation exercise with researchers, policymakers and practitioners. Journal of Public Health 2019, 41(4), 652-664.
• Moffatt S, Wildman J, Pollard TM, Penn L, O'Brien N, Pearce MS, Wildman JM. Evaluating the impact of a community-based social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in North East England: mixed-methods study protocol. BMJ Open 2019, 9(1).
• Moffatt S, Tse Laurence M, Pennington L. Experiences of Grandparenting Disabled Children in the UK: A Qualitative Study of Intergenerational Relationships. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships 2019, 17(1), 58-73.
• Spiers G, Matthews FE, Moffatt S, Barker R, Jarvis H, Stow D, Kingston A, Hanratty B. Impact of social care supply on healthcare utilisation by older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Age and Ageing 2019, 48(1), 57-66.
• Cheetham M, Moffatt S, Addison M, Wiseman A. Impact of Universal Credit in North East England: A qualitative study of claimants and support staff. BMJ Open 2019, 9(7), e029611.
• Wildman JM, Moffatt S, Penn L, O'Brien N, Steer M, Hill C. Link workers’ perspectives on factors enabling and preventing client engagement with social prescribing. Health and Social Care in the Community 2019, 27(4), 991-998.
• Penn L, Goffe L, Haste A, Moffatt S. Management information systems for community based interventions to improve health: qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives. BMC Public Health 2019, 19, 105.
• Haighton C, Moffatt S, Howel D, Steer M, Becker F, Bryant A, Lawson S, McColl E, Vale L, Milne E, Aspray T, White M. Randomised controlled trial with economic and process evaluations of domiciliary welfare rights advice for socioeconomically disadvantaged older people recruited via primary health care (the Do-Well study). Public Health Research 2019, 7(3), 1-227.
• Wildman JM, Moffatt S, Steer M, Laing K, Penn L, O'Brien N. Service-users’ perspectives of link worker social prescribing: a qualitative follow-up study. BMC Public Health 2019, 19(98).
• Drinkwater C, Wildman JM, Moffatt S. Social Prescribing. BMJ 2019, 364, 1285.
• Stocker R, Bamford C, Brittain K, Duncan R, Moffatt S, Robinson L, Hanratty B. Care home services at the vanguard: stakeholder views on the development and evaluation of novel, integrated approaches to enhancing health care in care homes. BMJ Open 2018, 8, e017419.
• Ahmad B, Landes D, Moffatt S. Dental Public Health In Action: Barriers to oral healthcare provision for older people in residential and nursing care homes: A mixed method evaluation and strategy development in County Durham, North East England. Community Dental Health 2018, 35(3), 136-139.
• Wildman JM, Moffatt S, Pearce M. Quality of life at the retirement transition: Life course pathways in an early ‘baby boom’ birth cohort. Social Science and Medicine 2018, 207, 11-18.
• Campbell MR, Mann KD, Moffatt S, Dave M, Pearce MS. Social determinants of emotional well-being in new refugees in the UK. Public Health 2018, 164, 72-81.
• Green J, Buckner S, Milton S, Powell K, Salway S, Moffatt S. A model of how targeted and universal welfare entitlements impact on material, psycho-social and structural determinants of health in older adults. Social Science and Medicine 2017, 187, 20-28.
• Whybrow P, Moffatt S, Kay L, Thompson B, Aspray T, Duncan R. Assessing the need for arthritis training among paid carers in UK residential care homes: A focus group and interview study. Musculoskeletal Care 2017, 1-8.
• Halligan J, Moffatt S, Bambra C, Wrieden W. 'I don't really like this, but it's all there is'. Welfare Reform, Low-Income and Food Insecurity. In: Fifth BSA Sociology of Food Study Group Conference. 2017, London, UK.
• Moffatt S, Steer M, Lawson S, Penn L, O'Brien N. Link Worker social prescribing to improve health and well-being for people with long-term conditions: qualitative study of service user perceptions. BMJ Open 2017, 7(7), e015203.
• Halligan J, Moffatt S, Wrieden W, Bambra C. No more Sunday dinners: food insecurity and welfare reform in Northeast England. In: 50th Anniversary Conference of the Social Policy Association Social Inequalities: Research, Theory, and Policy. 2017, Durham, UK.
• Moffatt S, Heaven B. 'Planning for uncertainty': narratives on retirement transition experiences. Ageing and Society 2017, 37(5), 879-898.
• Moffatt S, Lawson S, Patterson R, Holding E, Dennison A, Sowden S, Brown J. A qualitative study of the impact of the UK 'bedroom tax'. Journal of Public Health 2016, 38(2), 197-205.
• Whybrow P, Moffatt S, Kay L, Thompson B, Aspray T, Duncan R. Identifying care workers' educational needs about arthritis. 2016, Oxford University Press.
• O'Brien N, Heaven B, Teal G, Evans EH, Cleland C, Moffatt S, Sniehotta FF, White M, Mathers JC, Moynihan P. Integrating Evidence From Systematic Reviews, Qualitative Research, and Expert Knowledge Using Co-Design Techniques to Develop a Web-Based Intervention for People in the Retirement Transition. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2016, 18(8), e210.
• Heaven B, O'Brien N, Evans EH, White M, Meyer T, Mathers JC, Moffatt S. Mobilizing Resources for Well-being: Implications for Developing Interventions in the Retirement Transition. The Gerontologist 2016, 56(4), 615-629.
• Lara J, O'Brien N, Godfrey A, Heaven B, Evans EH, Lloyd S, Moffatt S, Moynihan PJ, Meyer TD, Rochester L, Sniehotta FF, White M, Mathers JC. Pilot randomised controlled trial of a web-based intervention to promote healthy eating, physical activity and meaningful social connections compared with usual care control in people of retirement age recruited from workplaces. PLOS One 2016, 11(7), e0159703.
• Norman C, Moffatt S, Rankin J. Young parents' views and experiences of interactions with health professionals. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 2016, 42(3), 179-186.
• Moffatt S. A Life Course Approach to Healthy Ageing. Ageing & Society 2015, 35(7), 1557-1558.
• Rizk A, Kronfol NM, Moffatt S, Zaman S, Fares S, Sibai AM. A survey of knowledge-to-action pathways of aging policies and programs in the Arab region: the role of institutional arrangements. Implementation Science 2015, 10, 170.
• Patterson R, Moffatt S, Smith M, Scott J, McLoughlin C, Bell J, Bell N. Exploring social inclusivity within the University of the Third Age (U3A): a model of collaborative research. Ageing & Society 2015, 1-24.
• Milton S, Buckner S, Salway S, Powell K, Moffatt S, Green J. Understanding welfare conditionality in the context of a generational habitus: A qualitative study of older citizens in England. Journal of Aging Studies 2015, 34, 113-122.
• Moffatt S, Haighton C, Steer M, Lawson S, White M. What impact does welfare rights advice have on health and wellbeing? Qualitative study from the UK. In: GSA 68th Annual Scientific Meeting. 2015, Orlando, Florida: Oxford University Press.
• Moffatt S, Noble E. Work or welfare after cancer? Explorations of identity and stigma. Sociology of Health & Illness 2015, 37(8), 1191-1205.
• Moffatt S. Aging Concepts and Controversies. Ageing & Society 2014, 34(2), 358-359.
• Tanner LM, Moffatt S, Milne E, Mills SDH, White M. Socio-economic and behavioural risk factors for adverse winter health and social outcomes in economically developed countries: a systematic review of quantitative observational studies. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2013, 67(12), 1061-1067.
• Heaven B, Brown L, White M, Errington L, Mathers JC, Moffatt S. Supporting well-being in retirement through meaningful social roles: systematic review of intervention studies. Milbank Quarterly 2013, 91(2), 222-287.
• Moffatt S, Noble E, White M. Addressing the financial consequences of cancer: Qualitative evaluation of a welfare rights advice service. Plos One 2012, 7(8), e42979.
• Moffatt S, Higgs P, Rummery K, Rees Jones I. Choice, consumerism and devolution: growing old in the welfare state(s) of Scotland, Wales and England. Ageing and Society 2012, 32(5), 725-746.
• Haighton C, Moffatt S, Howel D, McColl E, Milne E, Deverill M, Rubin G, Aspray T, White M. The Do-Well study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial, economic and qualitative process evaluations of domiciliary welfare rights advice for socio-economically disadvantaged older people recruited via primary health care. BMC Public Health 2012, 12(1), 382.
• Moffatt S, Noble E, Exley C. "Done more for me in a fortnight than anybody done in all me life." How welfare rights advice can help people with cancer. BMC Health Services Research 2010, 10(1), 259.
• Moffatt S, Glasgow N. How Useful is the Concept of Social Exclusion When Applied to Rural Older People in the United Kingdom and the United States?. Regional Studies 2009, 43(10), 1291-1303.
• Moffatt S, Mackintosh J. Older people's experience of proactive welfare rights advice: qualitative study of a South Asian community. Ethnicity & Health 2009, 14(1), 5-25.
• Moffatt S. Work, retirement and money. In: Cattan, M, ed. Mental Health and Well-being in Later Life. Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2009, pp.64-83.
• Moffatt S, Scambler G. Can welfare-rights advice targeted at older people reduce social exclusion?. Ageing and Society 2008, 28(6), 875-899.
• Penn LD, Moffatt SM, White M. Participants' perspective on maintaining behaviour change: A qualitative study within the European Diabetes Prevention Study. BMC Public Health 2008, 8(1), 235.
• Moffatt S, Higgs P. Charity or entitlement? Generational habitus and the welfare state among older people in North-east England. Social Policy and Administration 2007, 41(5), 449-464.
• Adams JM, White M, Moffatt S, Howel DM, MacKintosh JE. A systematic review of the health, social and financial impacts of welfare rights advice delivered in healthcare settings. BMC Public Health 2006, 6(1), 81.
• Schlüter A, Phillimore PR, Moffatt S. Enough is enough: Emerging 'self-help' environmentalism in a petrochemical town. Environmental Politics 2004, 13(4), 715-733.
• Phillimore P, Moffatt S. 'If we have wrong perceptions of our area, we cannot be surprised if others do as well.' Representing risk in Teesside's environmental politics. Journal of Risk Research 2004, 7(2), 171-184.
• Bush J, Pless-Mulloli T, Moffatt S, Phillimore P, Howel D. Perception of risks to quality of life and health in ex-mining communities in north-east England. In: EPIDEMIOLOGY. 2004, 530 WALNUT ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106-3621 USA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.
• Moffatt S, White M, Stacy R, Downey D, Hudson E. The impact of welfare advice in primary care: A qualitative study. Critical Public Health 2004, 14(3), 295-309.
• Moffatt S, Hoeldke B, Pless-Mulloli T. Local environmental concerns among communities in North-East England and South Hessen, Germany: The influence of proximity to industry. Journal of Risk Research 2003, 6(2), 125-144.
• Howel D, Moffatt S, Bush J, Dunn CE, Prince H. Public views on the links between air pollution and health in Northeast England. Environmental Research 2003, 91(3), 163-171.
• Bush J, Moffatt S, Dunn C. ”Air pollution – it’s a different sort of issue”: contextualising local and global environmental issues in northeast England. Local Environment 2002, 7(2), 119-134.
• Bush J, Moffatt S, Dunn CE. Contextualisation of local and global environmental issues in North-east England: Implications for debates on globalisation and the 'risk society'. Local Environment 2002, 7(2), 119-133.
• Howel D, Moffatt S, Prince H, Bush J, Dunn CE. Urban air quality in north-east England: Exploring the influences on local views and perceptions. Risk Analysis 2002, 22(1), 121-130.
• Bush J, Moffatt S, Dunn C. 'Even the birds round here cough': Stigma, air pollution and health in Teesside. Health and Place 2001, 7(1), 47-56.
• Bush J, Moffatt S, Dunn CE. Keeping the public informed? Public evaluation of air quality information. Public Understanding of Science 2001, 10(2), 213-229.
• Moffatt S, Pless Mulloli T, Bhopal R, Foy C, Phillimore PR. An exploration of awareness bias in two environmental epidemiology studies. Epidemiology 2000, 11(2), 199-208.
• Moffatt S, Phillimore PR, Hudson E, Downey D. Impact? What impact? Epidemiological findings in the public domain. Social Science & Medicine 2000, 51, 1755-1769.
• Moffatt S, Phillimore PR, Hudson E, Downey D. 'Impact? What impact?' Epidemiological research findings in the public domain: A case study from north-east England. Social Science and Medicine 2000, 51(12), 1755-1769.
• Pless-Mulloli T, Dunn C, Bhopal R, Phillimore PR, Moffatt S, Edwards J. Is it feasible to construct a community profile of exposure to industrial air pollution?. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000, 57(8), 542-549.
• Moffatt S, Bhopal R. Study on environmental hazards is flawed. British Medical Journal 2000, 320(7244), 1274.
• Moffat S, White M, Stacy R, Hudson E, Downey D. "If we had not got referred and got the advice, I don't know where we'd be, it doesn't bear thinking about". The impact of welfare advice provided in general practice. A qualitative study. Newcastle Upon Tyne: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Department of Primary Health Care, 1999.
• Phillimore PR, Moffatt S. 'Industry causes lung cancer': would you be happy with that headline? Environmental health and local politics. In: Allan S; Adam B; Carter C, ed. Environmental Risks and the Media. London: University College London Press, 1999, pp.105-116.
• Phillimore PR, Moffatt S. Narratives of insecurity in Teesside: environmental politics and health risks. In: Vail, John; Wheelock, Jane; Hill, Michael, ed. Insecure times: living with insecurity in contemporary society. London: Routledge, 1999, pp.137-153.
• Moffatt S. Parents' perceptions of the health and environmental impact of opencast coal mining: A qualitative study. University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999.
• Moffatt S, Bush J, Dunn CE. Public Awareness of Air Quality and Respiratory Health and the Impact of Health Advice. Newcastle upon Tyne: Dept of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Newcastle, 1999.
• Phillimore PR, Moffatt S, Pless-Mulloli T. Comfortable images, uncomfortable facts; or uncomfortable images, comfortable facts? A sociology of air quality monitoring in Teesside. In: The Northern Region in Transition. 1998.
• Moffatt S, Hudson E, Downey D, Phillimore PR. Communicating epidemiological research findings. Perspectives from communities, policy makers, industry and the media. Epidemiology 1998, 9(4), S151.
• S Moffatt,J Bush,H Prince,C Dunn,D Howel. Community views on ill-health, air quality and 'expert' information; the effects of proximity to heavy industry and poverty. Epidemiology 1998, 9(4), S143.
• Bhopal R, Moffatt S, Phillimore PR, Pless-Mulloli T, Foy C, Dunn C, Tate J. Does living close to a constellation of industries impair health? A study of health, illness and the environment in North East England. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998, 55, 812-822.
• Bhopal R, Moffatt S, Pless-Mulloli T, Phillimore P, Foy C, Dunn C, Tate J. Does living near a constellation of petrochemical, steel, and other industries impair health?. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998, 55(12), 812-822.
• Pless-Mulloli T, Phillimore PR, Moffatt S, Bhopal R, Foy C, Dunn C, Tate J. Lung cancer, proximity to industry, and poverty in Northeast England. Environmental Health Perspectives 1998, 106(4), 189-196.
• J. Bush,S. Moffatt,C.E. Dunn. Public perceptions of risks to health from air pollution: the importance of locality. In: Paper presented at Eighth International Symposium in Medical Geography. 1998, Baltimore MD, USA.
• Moffatt S, Phillimore PR, Bhopal R, Foy RC. 'If this is what it's doing to our washing, what is it doing to our lungs?' Industrial pollution and public understanding in North-East England. Social Science Medicine 1995, 41(6), 883-891.
• Phillimore P, Moffatt S. Discounted knowledge - local experience, environmental pollution and health. In: Popay J; Williams G, ed. Researching the People's Health. London: Routledge, 1994, pp.134-153.
• Bhopal RS, Phillimore PR, Moffatt S, Foy C. Is Living Near a Coking Works Harmful to Health?. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 1994, 48, 237-247.