Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally. A major contributor to NCDs are health-risk behaviours: alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, or unhealthy diet, all largely preventable. Low self-control (LSC) or the tendency to act impulsively has been associated with these behaviours, yet its role in health research remains understudied. There is an urgent need to explore the genetic basis of LSC to better understand how it drives these behaviours and contributes to NCDs. SCALE is a pioneering interdisciplinary project that will provide a breakthrough in understanding the genetic impact of LSC on health. Using data from Czech and English cohorts, the project will model the complex role of genetic risk for LSC across life stages (childhood, adulthood, older age) and its effect on health-risk behaviours and NCDs. With its unprecedented scope and integration of genetic, epidemiological, and experimental data, SCALE will bridge the gap between social and health sciences, redefining our understanding of health aetiology.

Sustainable Development Goals

Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.