A recent survey of residents living in a new social housing development in Christchurch has shown that three out of four residents struggled to afford transport costs from time to time, and seven out of ten people missed medical appointments, grocery shopping or time with friends and family due to transport difficulties. The survey was […]
Healthier Lives
Professor Jim Mann knighted for services to health
Newly-knighted Otago researcher Professor Jim Mann is calling on the Government to follow its world-leading anti-tobacco policies with a National Food Strategy. The internationally renowned academic was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to health, in the 2022 New Year Honours. The award follows a CNZM in 2002 […]
Research voices: Elizabeth Okiakama
Kia orana! Elizabeth Okiakama is a community-based researcher who worked on the Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme study (PPYEP)*. This study developed a collaborative partnership between university and community-based researchers, and two Pasifika communities in Auckland and Tokoroa, to empower youth to co-design, deliver and evaluate a community health intervention to prevent prediabetes. Elizabeth […]
Healthier Lives Newsletter December 2021
In this issue: Message from Director Webinar and workshop: Pathways between research, policy and practice Research voices: Improving clinical pathways for cancer patients New research: New Zealand has reached ‘meat consumption peak’ Congratulations: Dr Amohia Boulton Message from Director We closed last year with a call to acknowledge and overcome systemic racism in New Zealand’s health […]
Research voices: Dr Sandra Fitzgerald
Sandra Fitzgerald finished her PhD in 2021, working in the laboratory of Professor Cris Print and Dr Annette Lasham at the University of Auckland, in collaboration with Professor Parry Guilford’s group at the University of Otago. Her project, partly funded by Healthier Lives, has been investigating blood plasma biomarkers, and in particular circulating tumour-derived DNA […]
Step up for Diabetes
This year, Diabetes New Zealand is calling on Kiwis to Step Up For Diabetes during Diabetes Action Month by having regular foot checks to prevent amputations and making the right lifestyle choices to prevent or manage diabetes, which affects over a million New Zealanders. Earlier this year, the Economic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes report […]
Webinar: Pathways between research, policy and practice
On Wednesday 17 November 2021, Healthier Lives hosted a half-day webinar on the Pathways between research, policy and practice. View programme (includes chair and speaker profiles) [PDF] View the videos below or on YouTube. Professor Jim MannHealthier Lives Director Opening comments Hon Dr Ayesha VerrallAssociate Minister of Health Opening address Professor Mary L’AbbéUniversity of Toronto […]
Healthier Lives Newsletter November 2021
In this issue: Webinar: Pathways between research, policy and practice Update: He Pikinga Waiora Framework in action Research voices: Dr Dani Prapavessis Welcome: Governance Group and Kāhui Māori interns Diabetes Action Month: Step up for diabetes Webinar: Pathways between research, policy and practice Wednesday 17 November 2021 9.00am – 12.30pm FREE This half-day webinar features […]
He Pikinga Waiora Framework in action
The Covid-19 pandemic response has highlighted the extent of health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Disparities have long existed and continue to persist between different populations not only for infectious, but also non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. In the first phase of Healthier Lives research, He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) developed […]
Research voices: Dr Dani Prapavessis
Dr Danielle (Dani) Prapavessis, a proud ‘Kiwi Canadian’, jumped at the chance to do her PhD in Aotearoa New Zealand, having spent the first twelve years of her life in Auckland. Dani’s family moved to Canada for work commitments, where she completed her secondary school years and undergraduate studies. But Dani was lured back to […]
Healthier Lives Newsletter September 2021
In this issue: Heart Health Equity Hui Report Welcome to Professor Riyaz Patel Co-designing our way towards equity through authentic partnerships Structure of Healthier Lives’ research Scholarship and job opportunities Masters research in Population Nutrition – HYPE project Kaiwhakahaere Taituarā – Whakauae Research Services Heart Health Equity Hui Report In July, heart health researchers, clinicians, […]
Healthier Lives welcomes HRC funding announcement
Healthier Lives welcomes the announcement of $68.3 million in new project and programme grants awarded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) to address some of New Zealanders’ biggest health concerns. Many researchers involved with our Challenge have had their work recognised with substantial investments speaking to the research excellence, integrity and standing […]
Healthier Lives Newsletter July 2021
In this issue: Funding announcement: Supporting health systems change Research findings: International diabetes treatment guidelines over-estimate risk Welcome and farewell New website Taking research to diverse audiences: Innovations in Applied Data symposium Måür lelei: Pacific People’s fono Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Aotearoa conference Fashion for a Cure fundraising event Manawataki : Fatu Fatu for ACCESS hui […]
Webinars: Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho, Wai 262 and the National Science Challenges
The Rauika Māngai hosted a two-part webinar series on the 21 and 27 July focussing on the impact of Wai 262, particularly in relation to the National Science Challenges. These webinars explored the implications for Aotearoa’s science system of the current work to resolve long-outstanding issues related to the Wai 262 Waitangi Tribunal claim – […]
Project hui: Manawataki Fatu Fatu for ACCESS
Heart health researchers, clinicians, first-responders, funders and planners gathered at a hui in Auckland to discuss how to achieve equitable heart health in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Manawataki : Fatu Fatu for ACCESS* hui was opened by Healthier Lives Chair Sir Jerry Mateparae who shared his own story. “My experience and access to heart health […]
Fono: Måür Lelei – Health and Wellbeing Together
On June 25, Pacific researchers hosted Måür Lelei, a Pacific Peoples’ fono in Auckland. This event brought researchers and community members together to discuss the progress of research into issues affecting Pacific Peoples, and to strategise how to work together in future to improve the lives of Pacific Peoples. Date: Friday 25 June 2021Venue: Fale o Samoa, Mangere, […]
New project to support health system change in Aotearoa New Zealand
While evidence-based health services introduced over the past 40 years have contributed to overall health gains in Aotearoa New Zealand, the way they are provided has led to inequitable benefits across the population. For some conditions, such as COPD* and lung cancer, incidence and mortality in Māori have increased while decreasing in NZ Europeans. For […]
Symposium: Innovations in Applied Data
The Innovations in Applied Data Symposium was held on Thursday 3 June 2021 at Te Papa in Wellington and online. It was an opportunity to share what’s being done with data in Aotearoa New Zealand. The symposium was open to anybody working in the collection, management, analysis or access to applied data, from government, non-government […]
Album sales fund cancer research
A posthumous album Songs For The Family from Malcolm Black, ex-frontman of Netherworld Dancing Toys, is raising funds for the University of Otago’s Centre for Translational Cancer Research. Released by his family two years after his untimely death at age 58 from cancer, Songs For The Family was recorded two months before Malcolm passed away. […]
Healthier Lives May newsletter
In this issue: Empowering Pasifika youth to prevent prediabetes, A national approach for type 2 diabetes could avoid amputations, A Tiriti-led science-policy approach, Governance opportunity for emerging Māori research leader, 2020 Prime Minister’s Science Prize, Research Findings: WellConnectedNZ, Virtual forum strengthens collaboration. Empowering Pasifika youth to prevent prediabetes The Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme (PPYEP) […]
Pasifika youth become researchers and leaders on prediabetes prevention
The Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme (PPYEP) research project aimed to find new ways of reducing the prevalence of prediabetes in Pasifika communities. It had encouraging results and successful outcomes, such as Pasifika youth gaining knowledge and confidence to be health leaders in their communities. The project, led by Dr Ridvan (Riz) Tupai-Firestone from Massey […]
Better podiatry services can avoid diabetes-related amputations and save lives
MEDIA RELEASE Around 600 amputations could be avoided in New Zealand each year if better foot screening and podiatry services were made available for everyone with type 2 diabetes, a recent report* shows. The report found that millions of dollars are spent in the public hospital system each year on diabetes-related amputations, which are often […]
New Zealand needs urgent action to tackle the frightening rise and cost of type 2 diabetes
Professor Jim Mann, originally published in The Conversation. Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in New Zealand and will get much worse unless action is taken now, according to a new report on the economic and social cost of the disease. Already 228,000 New Zealanders (4.7% of the population) have type 2 diabetes. The […]
Healthier Lives March newsletter
In this issue: Cost of Type 2 Diabetes report launched at Parliament Funding announcement: Lifecourse impact of chronic health conditions Cost of Type 2 Diabetes report launched at Parliament New Zealand is facing a staggering increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes, and astronomical costs associated with this disease, a new report […]