Research activity

The faculty’s scientific research focuses on addressing the challenges of today’s society in the field of public health and the health of individuals and communities. The challenges are the result of rapid technological development and modern lifestyles, which are characterized by reduced physical activity, poor eating habits and other examples of unhealthy behaviours (stress, drinking, smoking, etc.). These factors present a high risk for developing many chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). They are a serious health and social problem in the developed world, since they reduce the quality of life, the workability of the active population, shorten the life span and cause major direct and indirect costs. As many as 80 % of NCD cases are attributed to unhealthy lifestyles that could be prevented (World Health Organization, 2009).

The faculty strives to design and analyse the effectiveness of various interdisciplinary approaches for the holistic treatment of individuals, subpopulations and populations, and to prepare strategic plans for the implementation of effective interventions in the areas of nutrition, healthy lifestyle, managing chronic diseases, improving quality of life, etc. By expanding its set of important findings, the faculty contributes new knowledge on NCD development, risk factors and strategic prevention plans across different age groups, thereby facilitating the synergistic transfer of pre-clinical knowledge about improving health status of the population in the region and beyond.

The faculty’s scientific research activities focus on the fields of nursing, nutrition, dietetics, movement, and basic natural and medical sciences.

The researchers are part of the UP FVZ 2413-001 Research group, which currently consists of 50 researchers and professional/technical staff.

In accordance with the Strategy of education and scientific research work on UP Faculty of Health Sciences for the period of 2018 – 2021, faculty’s activities in the field of scientific research work are focused on preparing the parent research program, which would be financed by the ARRS (acronym »ZDRAV«: joint measures based on diet, movement and health education for different age groups using health protection activities). The purpose is to improve the successfulness of scientific research and to establish an interdisciplinary team to research and address a common goal from different perspectives. The potential result will be protecting health of the population at different stages of life (children and adolescents, the active population, the elderly), developing science and profession in the field of dietetics, kinesiology, nursing, physiotherapy, and combining several scientific and professional disciplines (dietetics, nursing, kinesiology, natural sciences, medicine). Based on the results of the research program, it will be possible to raise awareness among the general population about healthy behavioral habits and the possibilities of preventing NCD in all age groups, either through professional meetings or through the media.

The faculty participates in several research programs and projects co-financed by the Public Agency for Research and Development of the Republic of Slovenia (ARRS), in various domestic research projects co-financed by national funds (programs of various ministries), and in international research projects co-financed by cross-border cooperation programs (The European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and other financial instruments).