Welcome to the SALUD-E Lab at the Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). 

At the SALUD-E Lab, we are passionate about advancing societal and individual health through innovative promotion and disease prevention efforts. Our mission is to create measurable and sustainable changes in the well-being of both the general population and individuals with chronic diseases by translating our research into actionable strategies and interventions. 
Health is a complex phenomenon with different edges, and we believe it is crucial to address health issues from an interdisciplinary approach. We have built a dedicated team of health professionals from backgrounds such as psychology, public health, medicine, sociology, and technology, with the major aim to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time.  

Our Core Research Areas are 

• Social Determinants of Health: We investigate how factors like socioeconomic status, education, and neighborhood environments shape both physical and mental health outcomes, contributing to health equity. 

• Addictive Behaviors: We explore the mechanisms behind the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and snus, as well as their long-term effects on individuals and public health systems. Our aim is to develop interventions and policies to curb addiction and reduce societal costs.  

• Lifestyle Factors: We examine how physical activity, nutrition, and stress management can optimize health across the lifespan, focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes that promote long-term well-being.  

• Unique and Personalized Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions: We specialize in transdiagnostic interventions, developing flexible, evidence-based solutions that address multiple psychological disorders simultaneously. This personalized approach allows us to tailor treatment plans to individual and health system's needs. 

• Dynamic Health Processes: We understand health as a fluid and evolving process. Our research investigates transitions between wellness and illness, emphasizing the impact of life stages, aging, and the biopsychosocial context.  

• E-health Technologies: We work on practical, evidence-based interventions that leverage the advantages of E-health technologies. Our aim is to improve accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of health interventions through digital innovations.

To achieve our objectives, we conduct cutting-edge longitudinal research and randomized controlled trials. We also collaborate with municipalities, health care providers, various stakeholders, and national and international research groups to establish strategic health promotion and disease prevention initiatives.    

Ongoing projects

1. Transdiagnostic vulnerabilities in the association between health risk factors for non-communicable diseases and mental health: A prospective study (PI: Ruben Rodriguez-Cano, Funding source: University of Oslo).
2. Disentangling the nature of the association between disordered eating and obesity among adults (PI: Laura Cortes-Garcia, Funding source: University of Oslo). 
3. Fem gode vaner (Hverdagsglede skole) study (PIs: Ragnhild Bang Nes and Kristian Krogshus, Funding source: Norges forskningsråd).
4. Promoting wellbeing: A randomized controlled trial of the Five Ways to All intervention (PI: Monica Beer Prydz, Funding source: DAM Foundation and Norges forskningsråd).
5. Exploring prospective transdiagnostic vulnerabilities in the association between pain and emotional eating (PI: Laura Cortes-Garcia, Funding source: NTNU). 
6. Assessment of a psychological treatment for smoking cessation combined with an App according to the intensity of therapeutic contact: Randomized controlled trial. (PI: Ana Lopez-Duran and Elisardo Becoña, Funding source: Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities).
7. Reducing lung cancer death with innovative risk models; Prospective evaluation of the HUNT risk models for screening, and primary prevention (smoking cessation) in general practice in Norway. The E-Lung Study (PI: Oluf D. Røe, Funding source: Kreftforeningen, Norge).