Anne Whittaker

Anne Whittaker is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University. Her research focuses on public health, health psychology, and substance abuse, particularly examining maternal health, vaccine hesitancy, and chronic disease management. She contributes to the Centre for Cardiovascular Health and Population and Public Health Research Group.

• Affiliations: Edinburgh Napier University, School of Health and Social Care
• Research Themes: HPV vaccination, hepatitis C treatment, parental substance misuse, perinatal obesity

Whittaker employs qualitative methodologies, including thematic analysis and narrative reviews, to investigate patient experiences and healthcare dynamics. Her work addresses structural constraints in opioid substitution therapy, stigma in public health, and cross-cultural vaccine engagement models.

Recent publications emphasize:

• HPV vaccine perceptions across diverse populations
• Hepatitis C treatment evolution and patient quality of life
• Substance misuse impact on families and healthcare systems
• Maternal health challenges for severely obese women

She supervises PhD projects on topics like:

• Integrated pregnancy support services
• Alcohol use during pregnancy
• Community-based stroke rehabilitation

Whittaker collaborates with institutions like NHS Lothian and contributes to policy-relevant reports on parental substance misuse and bloodborne virus education.