Dr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson has short hair, facial hair and is wearing a dark navy suit and brown tie.

Dr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson

Associate Professor of Ageing and Dementia
School of Medicine and Biosciences
Snorri.Rafnsson@uwl.ac.uk

Dr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson currently serves as Associate Professor of Ageing and Dementia in the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory in the School of Medicine and Biosciences at the University of West London. The goal of his research is to develop an evidence-base to inform policy and practice in supporting welfare and wellbeing in later life.  

His current research focuses on three broad aims: 1) To enhance understanding of the role of biopsychosocial determinants of health and well-being in older age, including cognitive decline and dementia, and their interaction with relevant environmental characteristics; 2) To better understand the impact of chronic diseases on psychosocial well-being in later life and how to support older people living well with chronic conditions; and 3) To better understand the barriers to, and facilitators of, high-quality, evidence-based, person-centred dementia care.  

Dr Rafnsson regularly collaborates with UWL and external colleagues in preparing research grant applications and submissions to peer-reviewed ageing journals and conferences. His research, which has been published in academic journals, edited books, and policy reports, continues to inform diverse ageing and dementia research efforts, evidence-based recommendations (e.g. the WHO guidelines on risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia), and patient education and awareness initiatives. Dr Rafnsson’s recent study on social contact and memory function in older adults in England also had a wide press and media coverage in the UK and internationally. 

Dr Rafnsson trained in epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh and later conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh and University College London (UCL). He was Research Fellow at the Centre for Population Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh from 2007-2010; Senior Epidemiologist at the Hellenic Health Foundation (HHF) in Athens, Greece, from 2010-2013; Research Associate in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, from 2013-2016; and Senior Lecturer in public health in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, London Metropolitan University, from 2016-2019. 

  • Qualifications

    • BSc (University of Akureyri)
    • MSc (University of Edinburgh)
    • PGCHE (London Metropolitan University)
    • PhD (University of Edinburgh)

  • Memberships

    Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
    Member of the British Society of Gerontology (BSG)
    Member of INTERDEM (Early Timely and Quality Psychosocial Interventions in Dementia)
    Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH)
    Member of the European Public Health Association’s Section on Migrant and Ethnic Minority Health

Dr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson trained in epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh and later conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh and University College London (UCL). He was Research Fellow at the Centre for Population Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh from 2007-2010; Senior Epidemiologist at the Hellenic Health Foundation (HHF) in Athens, Greece, from 2010-2013.

  • Research and publications

    Peer-reviewed journal publications

    Rafnsson SB, Maharani A, Tampubolon G. Social contact mode and 15-Year episodic memory trajectories in older adults with and without hearing loss: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Journals of Gerontology – Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 2021; Feb 19:gbab029. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab029.

    Rafnsson SB, Fowkes G. Positive and negative well-being of older adults with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: A population-based investigation. JRSM Cardiovascular Disease, 2020, Oct 20. doi.org/10.1177/2048004020961717

    Rafnsson SB, Orrell M, d'Orsi E, Hogervorst E, Steptoe A. Loneliness, social integration, and incident dementia over 6 Years: prospective findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Journals of Gerontology - Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. 2020 Jan 1;75(1):114-124. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbx087. PMID: 28658937; PMCID: PMC6909434.

    Nørgaard K, Sukumar N, Rafnsson SB, Saravanan P. Efficacy and Safety of Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogs in Special Populations with Type 1 Diabetes or Gestational Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Diabetes Therapy, 2018 Jun;9(3):891-917. doi: 10.1007/s13300-018-0411-7.

    Soni M, Orrell M, Bandelow S, Steptoe A, Rafnsson S, d'Orsi E, Xavier A, Hogervorst E. Physical activity pre- and post-dementia: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Aging & Mental Health, 2017 Oct 17:1-7. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1390731.

    Dorsi E, Hogervorst E, Orrell M, Rafnsson SB, Steptoe A. Is use of the internet in midlife associated with lower dementia incidence? Results from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Aging & Mental Health, Special section on dementia prevention 2017 Aug 10:1-9. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1360840.

    Kadoglou NPE, Biddulph JP, Rafnsson SB, Trivella M, Nihoyannopoulos P, Demakakos P. The association of ferritin with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in community-dwellers: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 7;12(6):e0178994. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178994.

    Khondoker M, Rafnsson SB, Morris S, Orrell M, Steptoe A. Positive and negative experiences of social support and risk of dementia in later life: An investigation using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 2017;58(1):99-108. doi: 10.3233/JAD-161160.

    Berendsen A, Kang J, van de Rest O, Jankovic N, Kampman E, Kiefte-deJong J, Franco O, Ikram A, Pikhart  H, Nilsson L, Brenner H, Boffetta P, Rafnsson SB, et al. Association of adherence to a healthy diet with cognitive decline in European and American older adults: a meta-analysis within the CHANCES consortium. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 2017;43(3-4):215-227. doi: 10.1159/000464269.

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Informal caregiving transitions, subjective well-being and depressed mood: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Aging & Mental Health 2017, Jan;21(1):104-112. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1088510.

    Sukumar N, Rafnsson SB, Bawazeer N, Kandala NB, Bhopal R, Yajnik CS, Saravanan P. Prevalence of vitamin B12 insufficiency in pregnancy and its effect on offspring birthweight: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2016 May;103(5):1232-51. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.123083.

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Informal caregiving transitions, subjective wellbeing and depressed mood: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Aging & Mental Health 2015 Sept 24. 1-9 doi: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1088510.

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Longitudinal influences of social network characteristics on subjective well-being of older adults: Findings from the ELSA Study. Journal of Ageing and Health 2015 Mar 24. doi: 10.1177/0898264315572111.

    Shankar A, Rafnsson SB, Steptoe A. Longitudinal associations between social connections and subjective wellbeing in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Psychology & Health 2014; 1-13. doi:10.1080/08870446.2014.979823.

    Rafnsson SB, Dilis V, Trichopoulou A. Antioxidant nutrients and age-related cognitive decline: a systematic review of population-based prospective studies. European Journal of Nutrition 2013: doi: 10.1007/s00394-013-0541-7.

    Duell EJ, Lujan-Barroso L, Llivina C, Muñoz X, Jenab M, Boutron-Ruault M-C, Clavel-Chapelon F, Racine A, Boeing H, Buijsse B, Canzian F, Johnson T, Dalgård C, Overvad K, Tjønneland A, Olsen A, Sánchez SC, Sánchez-Cantalejo E, Huerta J-M, Ardanaz E, Dorronsoro M, Khaw K-T, Travis RC, Trichopoulou A, Trichopoulos D, Rafnsson S et al. Vitamin C transporter gene (SLC23A1and SLC23A2) polymorphisms, plasma vitamin C levels, and gastric cancer risk in the EPIC cohort. Genes & Nutrition 2013: doi: 10.1007/s12263-013-0346-6.

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS, Agyemang CO et al. Sizable variations in circulatory disease mortality by region and country of birth in six European countries. European Journal of Public Health 2013: doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt023.

    Issrah J, Ivana Luksic, Rafnsson SB. Assessing available information on the burden of sepsis: Global estimates of incidence, prevalence and mortality. Journal of Global Health 2012; 2: 010404 doi: 10.7189/jogh.02.010404.

    Travis RC, Allen NE, Appleby PN, Price A, Kaaks R, Chang-Claude J, Tjønneland A, Johnsen NF, Molina-Montes E, Sánchez MJ, Larrañaga N, Castaño JMH, Ardanaz E, Khaw KT, Wareham N, Trichopoulou A, Karapetyan T, Rafnsson SB et al. Prediagnostic concentrations of plasma genistein and prostate cancer risk in 1605 men with prostate cancer and 1697 matched control participants in EPIC. Cancer Causes Control 2012; 23(7): 1163-71.

    Bhopal RS, Rafnsson SB. Global inequalities in assessment of migrant and ethnic variations in health. Public Health 2012; 126(3): 241-244.

    Vandenheede H, Deboosere P, Stirbu I, Agyemang CO, Harding S, Juel K, Rafnsson SB et al. Migrant mortality from diabetes mellitus across Europe: the importance of socio-economic change. European Journal of Epidemiology 2011 Dec 14 [Epub ahead of print].

    Bhopal RS, Rafnsson SB et al. Mortality from circulatory diseases by country of birth: test of concept exploration across six European countries. European Journal of Public Health 2011 DOI 10.1093/eurpub/ckr062.

    Rafnsson SB, Saravanan P, Bhopal RS, Yajnik CS. Is a low blood level of vitamin B12 a cardiovascular and diabetes risk factor? A systematic review of cohort studies. European Journal of Nutrition 2010; doi:10.1007/s00394-010-0119-6.

    Rafnsson SB, Deary IJ, Whiteman MC et al. Haemorheological predictors of cognitive decline: The Edinburgh Artery Study. Age and Ageing 2010; doi: 10.1093/ageing/afp227.

    Johnson W, Price JF, Rafnsson SB et al. Ankle brachial index predicts level of but not change in cognitive function: The Edinburgh Artery Study at 15-year follow-up. Vascular Medicine 2010: doi:10.1177/1358863X09356321.

    Marioni RE, Deary IJ, Murray GD, Strachan MWJ, Lowe GDO, Rafnsson SB et al. Genetic variants of C-reactive protein are not associated with late-life cognitive ability in four Scottish samples. Behavior Genetics 2009: DOI 10.1007/s10519-009-9302-z.

    Deary IJ, Corley J, Gow AJ, Harris SE, Houlihan LM, Marioni RE, Penke L, Rafnsson SB, Starr JM. Age-associated cognitive decline. British Medical Bulletin 2009: DOI 10.1093/bmb/ldp033.

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS. Large-scale epidemiological data on CVD and diabetes in migrant and ethnic minority groups in Europe. European Journal of Public Health 2009: DOI 10.1093/eurpub/ckp073.

    Bhopal RS, Rafnsson SB. Could mitochondrial efficiency explain the susceptibility to adiposity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and CHD in South Asian populations? International Journal of Epidemiology 2009: DOI 10.1093/ije/dyp202.

    Rafnsson SB, Deary IJ, Fowkes FGR. Peripheral Arterial Disease and Cognitive Function. Vascular Medicine 2009; 14: 51-61.

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS. Migrant and ethnic health research: Report on the European Public Health Association Conference 2007. Conference Report. Public Health 2008; 122: 532-4.

    Rafnsson SB, Deary IJ, Smith FB et al. Cardiovascular diseases and decline in cognitive function in an elderly community population: The Edinburgh Artery Study. Psychosomatic Medicine 2007; 69: 425-34.

    Rafnsson SB, Deary IJ, Smith FB et al. Cognitive decline and markers of inflammation and hemostasis: The Edinburgh Artery Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2007; 55: 700-707(8).

    Rafnsson SB, Oliver JJ, Elton RA et al. Poisons admissions in Edinburgh 1981-2001: agent trends and predictors of hospital readmissions. Journal of Human and Experimental Toxicology 2007; 26: 49-57.

    Book chapters

    Rafnsson SB. Major types of cardiovascular diseases and cognitive function: a review of patient and population-based investigations. In: Gariépy Q and Ménard R (eds.). Handbook of Cognitive Aging: Causes, Processes and Effects. New York: Nova Publishers, 2010, pp 1-45.

    Rafnsson SB. Peripheral arterial disease and cognitive function in older people. In: Sher L (ed.). Psychological Factors and Cardiovascular Disorders: The Role of Psychiatric Pathology and Maladaptive Personality Features. New York: Nova Publishers, 2008, pp. 207-225.

    Research reports (in collaboration with the ILC-UK)

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. The links between social connections and wellbeing in later life. International Longevity Centre–UK (2015), London: UK.

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. The emotional wellbeing of older carers. International Longevity Centre–UK (2015), London: UK.

    Other contributions to peer-reviewed journal publications

    Robertson L et al. Risk factors for chronic ulceration in patients with varicose veins: A case control study. Journal of Vascular Surgery 2009; 49: 1490-1498 (Rafnsson SB helped collect clinical data).

    Mathews G et al. Impact of a cardiovascular risk control project for South Asians (Khush Dil) on motivation, behaviour, obesity, blood pressure and lipids. Journal of Public Health 2007; 29: 388-397 (Rafnsson SB checked analyses and undertook additional data analyses).

  • Conferences

    Rafnsson SB, Milagros RA, Stefler D, Pajak A, Kubinova R, Malyutina S, Bobak M. Social networks and subjective well-being following retirement in England, the Czech Republic, Poland and Russia: findings from a cross-national comparison of two European population-based cohort studies of ageing. British Society of Gerontology's 50th Anniversary Annual Conference (July 7-9 2021).

    Rafnsson SB, Maharani A, Tampubolon G. Social contact mode and 15-year episodic memory trajectories in older adults with and without hearing loss: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. British Geriatrics Society's Autumn (Virtual) meeting (November 25-27 2020).

    Rafnsson SB, Fowkes G. Positive and negative well-being of older adults with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: A population-based investigation. Vascular Societies' Annual (Virtual) Scientific Meeting (November 24-27 2020).

    Rafnsson SB. How can we both inspire and teach people about epidemiology and public health? An invited lecture delivered at the retiral seminar celebrating the retirement of Professor Raj Bhopal (Bruce and John Usher Professor of Public Health at University of Edinburgh), Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland (May 16 2018).

    Rafnsson SB. The impact of austerity on health and well-being of older people: An evidence review. Annual meeting of London Older People’s Strategy Group (LOPSG), City Hall, London, UK (July 28 2017).

    Rafnsson SB, Khondoker M, Morris S, Orrell M, Steptoe A. Positive and negative experiences of social support and risk of dementia in later life: An investigation using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. 23rd National Congress of the Spanish Psychogeriatrics Society, Bilbao, Spain (February 23-25 2017).

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. The links between social networks and wellbeing in later life. “Prevention, Wellbeing and Loneliness” – A joint conference of the Campaign to End Loneliness and the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) School for Social Care Research, London, UK (April 17 2015).

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Social connections and wellbeing in older age. Report launch event, International Longevity Centre – UK, London, UK (February 19 2015).

    Shankar A, Rafnsson SB, Steptoe A. Loneliness, social isolation and well-being over 6 years. Report launch event, International Longevity Centre – UK, London, UK (February 19 2015).

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Caregiving transitions, subjective wellbeing and depressed mood in later life. English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Wave 6 launch event, Royal College of Physicians of London, UK (October 23 2014).

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Social network characteristics and subjective wellbeing over six years in later life. 43rd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology (BSG), Southampton, UK (September 1 – 3 2014).

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Caregiving transitions, subjective wellbeing and depressed mood in later life. 43rd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology (BSG), Southampton, UK (September 1 – 3 2014).

    Rafnsson SB. Social connections and wellbeing among older adults. Open meeting of the Lewisham Pensioners Forum Health and Wellbeing Forum, Lewisham Civic Centre, Catford, London, UK (July 30 2014).

    Shankar A, Rafnsson SB, Steptoe A. Loneliness and Life Satisfaction among Older Adults in England and India. Annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, (November 20-24 2013).

    Rafnsson SB, Shankar A, Steptoe A. Social network characteristics and subjective wellbeing over six years: The English Longitudinal study of Ageing. Lifelong Health and Wellbeing programme (LLHW) conference, London, UK (November 6-8 2013).

    Rafnsson SB, Kyrozis A, Gustafson D, Grodstein F, Brenner H, O' Doherty M, Kee F, Eriksson S, Trichopoulou A. Cardiovascular diseases and cognitive function in elderly people - the CHANCES consortium. 1st CHANCES Work Package 6 meeting, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden (June 7-8 2012).

    Rafnsson SB, Kyrozis A, Gustafson D, Grodstein F, Brenner H, O' Doherty M, Kee F, Eriksson S, Trichopoulou A. Cardiovascular diseases and cognitive function in the elderly - the CHANCES consortium. 3rd CHANCES Plenary meeting, University College London, London, UK (February 6-8 2012).

    Karapetyan T, Benetou V, Rafnsson SB, Orfanos P, Trichopoulou A. The "CHANCES" Project. A chance to assist health and ageing research. 2nd PanHellenic Forum on Social Medicine, Larissa, Greece (November 26-29 2011).

    Rafnsson SB. The relationship of cardiovascular diseases with cognitive function and country of birth - results from two studies in the context of population ageing and international migration. Unit for Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK (November 16 2011). Invited lecture.

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS, Kunst AE, on behalf of the Migrant and Ethnic Health Observatory (MEHO) cardiovascular mortality collaboration. Differences in cardiovascular disease mortality by geographical region and country of birth in six European countries. European Public Health Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark (November 9-11 2011).

    Bawazeer N, Rafnsson S, Saravanan P. Does vitamin B12 insufficiency during pregnancy happen in non-vegetarian? 7th World Congress of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHAD), Portland, USA (September 18 -20 2011).

    Bhopal RS, Rafnsson SB, Afshari R. Global inequalities in assessment of migrant and ethnic variations in health. World Congress of Epidemiology, Edinburgh, Scotland (August 7-11 2011).

    Bawazeer N, Rafnsson S, Saravanan P. B12 insufficiency doesn’t happen in non-vegetarians: Systematic review of B12 levels in pregnancy. WISDEM/IAS/CSRI Annual Symposium, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK (March 11 2011).

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS et al. Inequalities in CVD mortality by country of birth in six European countries. 3rd Conference on Migrant and Ethnic Minority Health in Europe, Pecs, Hungary (May 27-29 2010).

    Rafnsson SB. Cardiovascular risk factors and maintenance of cognitive function. European Society of Cardiology - EuroPRevent, Prague, Czech Republic (May 5-7 2010). Invited lecture.

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS et al. Circulatory disease mortality by country of birth in six European countries. 2nd Joint European Public Health Conference, Lodz, Poland (November 25-28 2009).

    Rafnsson SB, Issrah J et al. Epidemiology of sepsis: Methodological and quality issues. Meeting of the Global Burden of Disease Working Group on Pneumonia, Otitis, Meningitis, Sepsis and Pertussis, Dubrovnik, Croatia (September 2-4 2009).

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS et al. Monitoring the health status of migrants within Europe: Development of cardiovascular and diabetes indicators. 16th European Conference on Public Health, Lisbon, Portugal (November 6-8 2008).

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS et al. The health status of migrants in Europe: Development of cardiovascular and diabetes mortality and morbidity indicators. 2nd Conference of Migrant health in Europe, Malmo, Sweden (May 22-24 2008).

    Rafnsson SB. The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline in an older population sample of the Edinburgh Artery Study. Invited lecture at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Akureyri, Iceland (October 19 2007).

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS et al. The health status of migrants in Europe: Development of cardiovascular and diabetes mortality and morbidity indicators. 15th European Conference on Public Health, Helsinki, Finland (October 11-13 2007).

    Rafnsson SB, Bhopal RS. The health status of migrants in Europe: Development of cardiovascular and diabetes mortality and morbidity indicators. Workshop at the Joint Meeting of the Society for Social Medicine and the International Epidemiological Association, Cork, Ireland (September 13 2007).

    Rafnsson SB, Deary IJ et al. Cardiovascular disease is associated with cognitive decline in the general older population: the Edinburgh Artery Study. The 2nd International Congress of the International Society for Vascular, Behavioural, and Cognitive Disorders (VAS-COG), Florence, Italy (June 8-12 2005).

    Rafnsson SB, Smith F. Cognitive function testing in epidemiological studies: practical considerations. Department of Public Health Sciences (March 17 2005).

    Rafnsson SB, Elton RE et al. Poisons admissions in Edinburgh: Predictors of readmission according to drug taken at first admission. The 3rd Annual Scottish Public Health conference, Sterling, UK (November 13-14 2003).

    Rafnsson SB. The cognitive function project of the Edinburgh Artery Study. Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Group meeting, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK (November 5 2003).

    Rafnsson SB, Deary IJ et al. Impaired cognitive functions associated with cardiovascular disease independently of prior mental ability: Edinburgh Artery Study. The 1st International Congress of the International Society for Vascular Behavioural and Cognitive Disorders (VAS-COG), Gothenburg, Sweden (August 28-31 2003).

    Oliver JJ, Rafnsson SB et al. Poisons admissions in Edinburgh: Predictors of readmission according to drug taken at first admission. 23rd International Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists, Rome, Italy (May 20-23 2003).

    Rafnsson SB, Elton RE et al. Poisons admissions in Edinburgh: Predictors of readmission according to drug taken at first admission. The Centre of Public Health and Primary Care Research, University of Edinburgh, UK (May 6 2003).

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