Thursday 7 November 2019 1:03pm
Professor Rachael Taylor, Director of the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre (EDOR), leads a new research project called Moemoeā which aims to improve sleep for tamariki and their whānau. The highly collaborative team has been awarded $1.7 million in funding over three years from A Better Start National Science Challenge.
Ms Justine Camp, a researcher at Te Koronga at the University of Otago, leads the Māori arm of Moemoeā.
Dr Rosalina Richards, Director of the Centre for Pacific Health and a member of EDOR, will lead the Pasifika arm of the project.
Moemoeā recognises that good sleep patterns in babies is important for bonding with parents and for reducing maternal depression. Children who sleep well have healthier body weights and are able to do better at school.
Researchers will work collaboratively with whānau, communities, and health providers to develop a sleep ‘toolkit’ that is tailored for Māori and Pasifika families, and that supports communication and connectedness between children and caregivers, incorporating relevant cultural values and traditions.
Read more about Moemoeā
- New research to get a better night’s sleep for tamariki and their whānau, A Better Start National Science Challenge website, 9 October 2019.
- Moemoeā - sleep, health, communication, and wellbeing, EDOR website, 2019