Sheena Asthana

Professor Sheena Asthana directs the Plymouth Institute for Health and Care Research at the University of Plymouth's Peninsula Medical School. A leading expert in health equity, her work focuses on resource allocation models, coastal health disparities, and social determinants of health.

Her research examines geographic inequalities in public service funding, particularly the systematic under-resourcing of rural and coastal areas. She pioneered epidemiological approaches to health resource allocation that prioritize direct needs assessment over utilization metrics. Current work addresses digital health transformations, social prescribing, and the impact of COVID-19 on integrated care systems.

Professor Asthana's publications demonstrate consistent focus on health equity, with recent work examining loneliness in aging populations, virtual reality interventions in elderly care, and autism-informed wellbeing strategies. Her research employs mixed methods to address complex health system challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

She serves on national committees including the Advisory Committee for Resource Allocation (ACRA), influencing the distribution of £160+ billion in NHS funding. Her coastal health research contributed to the 2021 Chief Medical Officer's report.