Staff Member Biography

Michaela Benzeval

position: Programme Leader (Track)programme: Social Patterning of Health over the Lifecourse

Contact Details

email:
phone: 0141 357 7535

Address

MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
4 Lilybank Gardens
Glasgow G12 8RZ

Biography and Interests

Michaela studied economics in Bath, and health policy and epidemiology, as well as a PGCAP, in London, and gained her PhD, on income and health, from Glasgow. Before joining the Unit she worked at Queen Mary University of London, East London and City Health Authority, the London School of Economics and the King’s Fund. Her work has always focused on tackling inequalities in health and access to health care, both in terms of exploring the underlying causes through epidemiological research and understanding ‘what works’ through policy analysis and evaluation.

Michaela joined the SPHSU in September 2004 as Research Project Director of the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study, which is a longitudinal study following three cohorts of people to investigate the social processes that cause and maintain health inequalities. Michaela is responsible for the overall design and conduct of the study and for co-ordinating all use of the data. As part of this role, Michaela is working on a number of collaborative projects with other MRC Units that investigate ways of minimising attrition in longitudinal studies and methods of analysing multiple cohort studies over time. In 2009, Michaela became a Programme Leader (Track) and successfully put forward a research programme for 2010 – 2015 on the Social Patterning of Health over the Lifecourse. Michaela’s main research interests are on investigating the pathways between people’s social circumstances and their health over time, with a particular focus on the role of social transitions, income and the underlying biological processes. She is also interested in how these associations are influenced by different macro contexts.

Michaela is member of the Academy of Higher Education, the CSO panel on pre- and post-doctoral fellowships, Glasgow University Medical Ethics Committee and on the editorial boards of Ethnicity and Health and ISRN Public Health.

Publications

Green MJ, Espie CA, Hunt K, Benzeval M. The longitudinal course of insomnia symptoms: inequalities by gender and occupational class among two different age cohorts followed for 20 years in the West of Scotland. Sleep (in press).

Batty GD, Bhaskar A, Emslie C, Benzeval M, Der G, Lewar H, Hunt K. Association of life course socioeconomic disadvantage with problem and heavy drinking: gender differentials in the west of Scotland. International Journal of Public Health 2012;57:119-126.

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Brown D, Benzeval M, Gayle V, Macintyre S, O'Reilly D, Leyland AH. Childhood residential mobility and health in late adolescence and adulthood: findings from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study [Epub ahead of print]. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2012.

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Brown D, O'Reilly D, Gayle V, Macintyre S, Benzeval M, Leyland AH. Socio-demographic and health characteristics of individuals left behind in deprived and declining areas in Scotland. Health & Place 2012;18:440-444.

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Ellaway A, Benzeval M, Green M, Leyland AH, Macintyre S. 'Getting sicker quicker': does living in a more deprived neighbourhood mean your health deteriorates faster? Health & Place 2012;18:132-7.

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Leyland A, Brown D, O'Reilly D, Gayle V, Macintyre S, Benzeval M. Population mobility and its role in widening health inequalities in scotland [executive summary]. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Health Directorates Chief Scientist Office [CZH/4/546], 2012.

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Benzeval MJ, Green MJ, Leyland AH. Do social inequalities in health widen or converge with age? Longitudinal evidence from three cohorts in the West of Scotland. BMC Public Health 2011;11:947.

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Benzeval MJ. What is the role of income in creating health inequalities? evidence from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies [PhD]. MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit. Glasgow: College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow, 2011.

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Booker C, Harding S, Benzeval M. A systematic review of the effect of retention methods in population-based cohort studies. BMC Public Health 2011; 11:249.

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Carroll D, Phillips AC, Der G, Hunt K, Benzeval M. Blood pressure reactions to acute mental stress and future blood pressure status: Data from the 12-year follow-up in the West of Scotland study. Psychosomatic Medicine 2011; 73:737-42.

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Fuller N, Green MJ, Benzeval M. The West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study: the use of bioimpedance analysis for the measurement of body composition in Wave 5 Glasgow: MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Working Paper no. 28, 2011.

Gray CM, Hunt K, Lorimer K, Anderson AS, Benzeval M, Wyke S. Words matter: a qualitative investigation of which weight status terms are acceptable and motivate weight loss when used by health professionals? BMC Public Health 2011; 11:513

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Green M, Benzeval M. Aging, social class and common mental disorders: Longitudinal evidence from three cohorts in the West of Scotland. Psychological Medicine 2011; 41:565-74.

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Lorimer K, Gray CM, Hunt K, Wyke S, Anderson A, Benzeval M. Response to written feedback of clinical data within a longitudinal study: a qualitative study exploring the ethical implications. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2011; 11:10.

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Maxwell F, McGlynn LM, Muir HC, Talwar D, Benzeval M, Robertson T, Roxburgh CS, McMillan DC, Horgan PG, Shiels PG. Telomere attrition and decreased Fetuin A levels indicate accelerated biological ageing and are implicated in the pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research 2011; 17:5573-81.

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Phillips AC, Der G, Shipton D, Benzeval M. Prospective associations between cardiovascular reactions to acute psychological stress and change in physical disability in a large community sample. International Journal of Psychophysiology 2011;81:332-7.

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Seaman S, Benzeval M. The West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study: inverse probability weights for Wave 5. Glasgow: MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Working Paper no 27, 2011.

Wills AK, Lawlor DA, Matthews F, Aihie Sayer A, Bakra E, Ben Shlomo Y, Benzeval M, Brunner E, Cooper R, Kivimäki M, Kuh D, Muniz-Terrera G, Hardy R. Lifecourse trajectories of systolic blood pressure using longitudinal data from UK cohorts. PLoS Medicine 2011; 8:e1000440.

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Batty GD, Der G, Benzeval M, Deary IJ. Does IQ predict cardiovascular disease mortality as strongly as other risk factors? Comparison of effect estimates using the Twenty-07 prospective cohort study . European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation 2010; 17:24-7.

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Benzeval M, Der G, Ellaway A, Hunt K, Sweeting H, West P, Macintyre S. Cohort Profile: West of Scotland 20-07 study: health in the community. International Journal of Epidemiology 2009; 38:1215-23.
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Batty GD, Lewars H, Emslie C, Benzeval M, Hunt K. Problem drinking and exceeding guidelines for 'sensible' alcohol consumption in Scottish men: associations with life course socioeconomic disadvantage in a population-based cohort study. BMC Public Health 2008; 8:302.
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Benzeval M, Green M, Ferrell C, Macdonald L, Wilson R, Der G, Ellaway A, Hunt K, Sweeting H, West P, Macintyre S. West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study: Health in the Community: Wave 5 fieldwork Protocol. Glasgow: MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Working Paper no. 20, 2007.

Benzeval M, Wilson R. West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study: Health in the Community: scientific justification for collection of biomarkers in Wave 5. Glasgow: MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Working Paper no. 21, 2007.

Benzeval M, Wilson R. West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study:Health in the Community: Scientific justification for collection of biomarkers in Wave 5. Glasgow: MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Working Paper no. 21, 2007.

Thomas C, Benzeval M, Stansfeld S. Psychological distress following employment transitions: the role of subjective financial position as a mediator. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2007; 61:48-52.
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Benzeval M. Health Action Zones. In: Killoran A, Swann C, Kelly M, eds. Public Health Evidence: changing the health of the public. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006:415-430.

Tunstall H, Benzeval M, Der G. Weights for the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study: Health in the Community – notes for users. Glasgow: MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Working Paper no. 22, 2006.

Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H. Preface. In: Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H, eds. Health Action Zones: Partnerships for health equity. London: Routledge, 2005:viii-x.

Barnes M, Sullivan H, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M. Public policy under New Labour. In: Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H, eds. Health Action Zones: Partnerships for health equity. London: Routledge, 2005:17-42.

Benzeval M, Judge K. The legacy of health inequalities. In: Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H, eds. Health Action Zones: Partnerships for health equity. London: Routledge, 2005:1-16.

Benzeval M. Tackling health inequalities. In: Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H, eds. Health Action Zones: Partnerships for health equity. London: Routledge, 2005:138-156.

Mackenzie M, Benzeval M. Evaluating policy and practice - designing the national HAZ evaluation. In: Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H, eds. Health Action Zones: Partnership for health equity. London: Routledge, 2005:43-66.

Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Mackenzie M, Sullivan H. Health Action Zones: partnerships for health equity. London: Routledge, 2005.

Thomas C, Benzeval M, Stansfeld S. Employment transitions and mental health: analysis from the British Household Panel Survey. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2005; 59:243-249.
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Willitts M, Benzeval M, Stansfeld S. Partnership history and mental health over time. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2004; 58:53-58.

Benzeval M. Tackling inequalities in health module: final report to East London and the City Health Action Zone. London: QMUL, 2003.

Benzeval M. Tackling inequalities in health module: final report to North Staffordshire Health Action Zone. London: QMUL, 2003.

Benzeval M. Tackling inequalities in health module: final report to Sheffield Health Action Zone. London: QMUL, 2003.

Benzeval M. The final report of the tackling Inequalities in health module: the national evaluation of health action zones, A report to the Department of Health. London: QMUL, 2003.

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Mackenbach JP, Bakker M, ...Benzeval M, and members of the European Network on Interventions and Policies to Reduce Inequalities in Health. Tackling socio-economic inequalities in health: an analysis of European experiences. The Lancet 2003; 362:1409-1413.
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Benzeval M, Meth F. Health inequalities: a priority at a crossroads, Final report to the Department of Health: Queen Mary, University of London, 2002.
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Benzeval M, Meth F. Innovation. In: Bauld L, Judge K, eds. Learning from Health Action Zones. Chichester: Aeneas Press, 2002:211-20.

Benzeval M. England. In: Mackenbach J, Bakker M, eds. Reducing inequalities in health: A European perspective. London: Routledge, 2002:201-213.

Morrison J, Benzeval M. An evaluation of maternity services in East London in 2001: the users’ perspective - a report to North East London Health Authority. London: NELHA, 2002.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Shouls S. Understanding the relationship between income and health: how much can be gleamed from cross-sectional data? Social Policy & Administration 2001; 35:376-396.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Income and health: the time dimension. Social Science & Medicine 2001; 52:1371-1390.
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Benzeval M, Judge K, Dilnot A, Taylor J. Income and health over the lifecourse: evidence and policy implications. In: Graham H, ed. Understanding health inequalities. Milton Keynes: Open University Press, 2000:96-112.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Johnson P, Taylor J. Relationships between health, income and poverty over time: an analysis using BHPS and NCDS data. In: Bradshaw J, Sainsbury R, eds. Experiencing poverty. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2000:78-101.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Taylor J. Evidence on the relationship between low income and poor health: is the government doing enough? Fiscal Studies 2000; 21:375-399.

Barnes M, Bauld L, Benzeval M, Judge K, Killoran A, Robinson R, Wigglesworth R, Zeilig H. Health Action Zones: learning to make a difference - findings from a preliminary review of Health Action Zones and proposals for a national evaluation- a report submitted to the Department of Health. Canterbury: PSSRU, University of Kent, 1999.

Benzeval M, Donald A. The role of the NHS in tackling inequalities in health. In: Gordon G, Shaw M, Dorling D, Davey Smith G, eds. Inequalities in health: the evidence presented to the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health. Bristol: Policy Press, 1999:87-100.

Benzeval M. Health inequalities: public policy action. In: Griffiths S, Hunter DJ, eds. Perspectives in Public Health. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press, 1999:34-46.

Benzeval M. Tackling inequalities in health: How can we learn what works? EuroHealth 1999; 5:(1):29-31.

Graham H, Benzeval M, Whitehead M. Social and economic policies in the UK with a potential impact on health inequalities. In: Mackenbach JP, Droomers M, eds. Interventions and policies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health. Rotterdam: Department of Public Health, University of Rotterdam, 1999:149-66.

Benzeval M, Coulter A. The health authority’s new roles. In: Klein R, ed. Implementing the white paper: pitfalls and opportunities - a King's Fund analysis of Labour's plans for the NHS. London: King's Fund Publishing, 1998:19-32.

Benzeval M, Duggan M, Killoran A. Our Healthier Nation: a response to the Public Health Green Paper - APH, HEA, King’s Fund. London: King's Fund, 1998.

Benzeval M. Tackling inequalities in health: an overview. In: CPHVA, ed. Poverty and Health: Finally on the agenda. London: Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association, 1998:8-13.

Judge K, Mulligan JA, Benzeval M. Income inequality and population health. Social Science and Medicine 1998; 46:567-79.

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Benzeval M. The self-reported health status of lone parents. Social Science & Medicine 1998; 46:1337-1353.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M. Tackling inequalities in health: extracts from the summary. In: Sidell M, Jones L, Katz J, Peberdy A, eds. Debates and Dilemmas in promoting health: a reader. Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, 1997:16-23.

Benzeval M. Health. In: Walker A, Walker C, eds. Britain divided: the growth of social exclusion in the 1980s and 1990s. London: CPAG, 1997:153-69.

Harker L, Benzeval M, Elizabeth S. Foreword. In: Dennehy A, Smith L, Harker P, eds. Not to be ignored: young people, poverty and health. London: CPAG, 1997:vi-ix.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Access to health care in England: continuing inequalities in the distribution of GPs. Journal of Public Health Medicine 1996; 18:33-40.

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Benzeval M. Inequalities in health: a National Health Service problem? NHS Yearbook, 1995/96 1996:17.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Smaje C. Beyond class, race, and ethnicity: deprivation and health in Britain. Health Services Research 1995; 30:163-77.

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Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King's Fund, 1995.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M. Introduction. In: Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M, eds. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King’s Fund, 1995:1-9.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M. The role of the NHS. In: Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M, eds. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King’s Fund, 1995:95-120.

Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M.Unfinished business. In: Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M, eds. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King’s Fund, 1995:122-40.

Benzeval M, Judge K. The unequal struggle. Guardian Society 1995:(26 April):6-7.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Time to bridge the health divide. EuroHealth 1995; 1:(3):4-5.

Benzeval M, Webb S. Family poverty and poor health. In: Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M, eds. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King’s Fund, 1995:69-81.

Benzeval M. Health Care for All? How to take equity seriously. In: Harrison A, ed. Health Care UK 1994/95. London: King’s Fund Policy Institute, 1995:67-71.

Benzeval M. Putting equity onto the agenda. The Reformer 1995; 2:(4):7-9.

Benzeval M. Tackling health inequalities: what can the NHS do? Health Director 1995; 19:(May):12.

Fox J, Benzeval M. Perspectives on social variations in health. In: Benzeval M, Judge K, Whitehead M, eds. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King’s Fund, 1995:10-21.

Benzeval M, Judge K. The determinants of hospital utilisation: implications for resource allocation in England. Health Economics 1994; 3:105-16.

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Benzeval M, Judge K. Access to GPs: how to estimate weighted populations from models of utilisation. Discussion Paper no 5. London: King's Fund Institute, 1993.

Benzeval M, Judge K. The 1991 Census health question. Discussion Paper no 4. London: King's Fund Institute, 1993.

Judge K, Benzeval M. Health inequalities: new concerns about the children of single mothers. British Medical Journal 1993; 306:677-80.

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Benzeval M, Judge K, Solomon M. The health status of Londoners: a comparative perspective. King's Fund London Initiative Working Paper no 1. London: King's Fund, 1992.

Benzeval M, Judge K. The development of population-based need indicators from self-reported health care utilisation. Discussion Paper no 7. London: King's Fund Institute, 1993.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Deprivation and poor health in childhood: prospects for prevention. In: Otto HU, Flosser G, eds. How to organise prevention: political, organisational, and professional challenges to social services. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1992:291-324.

Benzeval M, Judge K, New B. Health and health care in London. Public Money and Management 1991; 11:25-32.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Financing Family Health Service Authorities: the allocation of their administrative resources. Occasional Paper no 3. London: King's Fund Institute, 1991.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Towards a fairer share for FHSAs. Health Direct 1991; 6:(March):10.

Black ME, Scheuer MA, Victor C, Benzeval M, Gill M, Judge K. Utilisation by homeless people of acute hospital services in London. British Medical Journal 1991; 303:958-61.

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Judge K, Benzeval M. A formula for funding. Health Services Journal 1991; 101:(5250):20-1.

Scheuer MA, Black M, Victor C, Benzeval M, Gill M, Judge K. Homelessness and the utilisation of acute hospital services in London. Occasional Paper no 4. London: King's Fund Institute, 1991.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Deprivation and poor health in childhood: polices for prevention. Discussion paper no 2. London: King's Fund Institute, 1990.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Deprivation, health and inequality. Discussion paper no 3. London: King's Fund Institute, 1990.

Benzeval M, Judge K. On a downward gradient. Health Services Journal 1990; 100:(5194):471-2.

Ham C, Robinson R, Benzeval M. Health check: health care reforms in an international context. London: King's Fund Institute, 1990.

Judge K, Benzeval M. Black to the future: health, deprivation and inequality. Papers in social policy and professional studies no 13. Hull: Department of Social Policy and Professional Studies, University of Hull, 1990.

Beardshaw V, Benzeval M, Ham C, Judge K, New W, Roberts H, Robinson R. Managed Competition: a new approach to health care. Briefing paper no 9. London: King's Fund Institute, 1989.

Benzeval M, Judge K. Resource allocation between FPCs. Discussion paper no 1. London: King's Fund Institute, 1989.

Ham C, Costain DW, Benzeval M. New horizons in acute care. Birmingham: National Association of Health Authorities, 1988.

Robinson R, Benzeval M, Ham C, Hunter DJ, Judge K. Health finance : assessing the options. Briefing paper no 4. London: King's Fund Institute, 1988.