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Population and community prevention

Ageing Well National Science Challenge

Three seniors thumbnailThe Ageing Well National Science Challenge vision is to add life to years for all older New Zealanders. This will be achieved by harnessing science to sustain health and wellbeing into the later years of life. The mission of Ageing Well is to push back disability thresholds to enable all New Zealanders to reach their full potential through the life course with particular reference to the latter years of life.

Email administrator.ageingwell@otago.ac.nz
Web ageingwellchallenge.co.nz

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ASPIRE2025

No smoking sign thumbnailASPIRE2025 is a partnership between major New Zealand research groups carrying out research to help achieve the Government's goal of a tobacco-free Aotearoa by 2025. ASPIRE2025 brings together leading tobacco-free researchers and health service groups in New Zealand and strengthens existing collaborations. ASPIRE2025 was awarded the status of a University of Otago Research Theme in November 2011.

Email aspire2025@otago.ac.nz
Web aspire2025.org.nz

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The Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme (BODE3)

BODE3 researchers group thumbnailThe Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme has an aim to build capacity and academic rigour in New Zealand in the estimation of disease burden, cost-effectiveness and equity impacts of proposed interventions, and undertake a range of such assessments. It is a Health Research Council (HRC) funded programme, from 2010 to 2015. Major collaborative partners include the University of Queensland and the Ministry of Health.

Email hilary.day@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/wellington/publichealth/research/bode3

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Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR)

Human running figures thumbnailAlongside our high quality postgraduate and research programmes, research at the School of Physiotherapy is managed through our dedicated Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research. Research and knowledge transfer are integral parts of the School of Physiotherapy's activities.

Research project areas:

  • Physical Activity and Health
  • Healthy Ageing
  • Sports Concussion and Injury Prevention
  • Clinical Biomechanics and Medical Technologies

Email donna.keen@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/physio/research

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Centre for Translational Research

Bunch of electrodes thumbnailThe Centre for Translational Research (CTR) is a central research facility at the University of Otago, Wellington. It is designed to forge world-class research programmes that will accelerate the transfer of clinically-relevant scientific knowledge.

Translation of non-clinical research that results in real world clinical applications is a major challenge for biomedical researchers. With increasing sub-specialisation in both medical and basic biomedical disciplines, such knowledge transfer can become fragmented unless concerted efforts are made to promote their integration. A hallmark of those involved in the CTR is a willingness to collaborate on projects which utilise both scientific and clinical expertise. This is in recognition of the importance we believe translational research provides in generating answers to clinical problems.

The following topics are of particular interest:

  • Energy and metabolism
  • Neurocritical care
  • Cardiovascular genetics
  • Exercise and environmental physiology
  • Clinical physiology and biomedical engineering
  • Paediatrics
  • Acute and chronic airways disease
  • Sleep medicine

Email ctr@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/uow-physiology/index.html

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Christchurch Heart Institute

Clinic thumbnailHere at the Christchurch Heart Institute we help save thousands of lives through research into improved diagnosis, better prediction and advanced treatments for heart disease. Our team of internationally-renowned experts directly play a role in increasing the survival of New Zealanders with heart disease.
Our research is focused on:

  • New blood tests for heart attack diagnosis and prognosis
  • Using new methods for treating heart failure and improving outcomes
  • Understanding the genetics of heart disease; why heart disease runs in some families

Email paula.deroeper.forrest@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/chch-heart-institute/index.html

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Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research (EDOR)

Scrabble tiles thumbnailOur mission is Reducing the global burden of diabetes and obesity. We aim to reduce the prevalence, and to improve the management, of diabetes and obesity by finding new ways to prevent and treat these conditions. By striving for research excellence and encouraging international collaboration we can bring the greatest benefit to New Zealanders and the wider world. We’re sharing our discoveries with individuals, communities, teachers, health professionals and policymakers.

Email diabetes@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/diabetes

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Hauora Manawa / Heart Health: The Community Heart Study

Clinic thumbnailThis research aims to collect data on the current levels of established heart disease, levels of previously undiagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their risk factors in randomly-selected population samples from two diverse Maori communities, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa in Hawkes Bay, and Mana Whenua ki Waitaha in Canterbury, as well as a non-Maori control group in Canterbury.

Web otago.ac.nz/christchurch/research/mihi/research/otago015860.html

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Health, Environment and Infection Research Unit (HEIRU)

Blue bacteria thumbnailThe Health, Environment and Infection Research Unit is a collaboration of researchers focused on the impact of infectious diseases and adverse environmental factors on population health. We use a range of research methods to investigate these health concerns; to identify effective interventions to reduce the burden of disease and inequalities; and to support the move to greater environmental sustainability. HEIRU aims to provide evidence-based recommendations and advice to support New Zealand and international agencies and practitioners in their disease prevention and control activities.

Email michael.baker@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/wellington/publichealth/research/heiru

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Healthier Lives National Science Challenge

Family on a beach thumbnailThe Healthier Lives National Science Challenge is a national research collaboration dedicated to achieving healthier lives for all New Zealanders.

We are working on the prevention and treatment of four of New Zealand’s main non-communicable diseases:

  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity

Our mission is to deliver the right prevention to the right population and the right treatment to the right patient.

Email healthier.lives@otago.ac.nz
Web healthierlives.co.nz

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Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit (HePPRU)

Supermarket shopper thumbnailThe Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit aims to foster excellence in research in health promotion and public health policy. HePPRU works in collaboration with policy-makers and policy advocates to advance the good health of the peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand through independent, critical and innovative research, teaching, and community service.

Email louise.signal@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/heppru

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Search the Health Sciences Expertise Database

Blue human anatomical figures thumbnailThe Division of Health Sciences benefits from its high calibre of staff and their wide range of skills and research expertise.

Our Staff Expertise Database provides details on University of Otago, Health Sciences staff. Each staff profile provides information on qualifications, current academic position, contact details, and a summary of research and publications.

You can search our database by keyword (eg cardiovascular) or by name.

Health Sciences expertise database

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Sport and Exercise Medicine

Stethoscope thumbnailSport and Exercise Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, is the study of all human movement, injury prevention, exercise prescription, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement through nutrition, biomechanics and improved cardiorespiratory efficiency.

The prime object of this programme is to provide practising health professionals with current information on Sport and Exercise Medicine from acknowledged academic and clinical staff.

Email hamish.osborne@otago.ac.nz
Web http://dnmeds.otago.ac.nz/departments/medicine/sports/index.html

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Stroke neurology

Anna Ranta thumbnailProfessor Anna Ranta’s research focuses on stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) epidemiology and service delivery optimisation, service integration, health equity, and knowledge translation.  She is currently a stroke neurologist with Capital Coast DHB alongside her senior lecturer role with University of Otago, Wellington.

Current projects include:

  • Analysis of the NZ Stroke thrombolysis register
  • Assessing an atrial fibrillation electronic decision-support tool (HRC project with cardiologist Professor Ralph Stewart)
  • Assessing motivational interviews post-stroke (HRC Take Charge Study)
  • Assessing TIA / stroke electronic decision support in primary care including the use of TIA scores (HRC FASTEST trial)
  • Evaluating NZ Telestroke pilot (MOH)
  • TIA incidence in greater Auckland (ARCOS IV)
  • Triple antiplatelet therapy in secondary prevention of stroke (International TARDIS trial)

Email anna.ranta@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/expertise/profile/index.html?id=2356

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Virtual Health Information Network

Map of New Zealand thumbnailThe Virtual Health Information Network (VHIN) assists researchers to do high quality health research using the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and other administrative health data.

A deeper understanding of the IDI and increased awareness of data quality issues can be gained via our resources including:

  • Website guides
  • Online discussions
  • Analytical code available from VHIN research
  • Meetings about current IDI research

Email: vhin@otago.ac.nz
Web: vhin.co.nz

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