Healthier Lives

The Diabesity Crisis17 March 2017Auckland Major science event presents latest research on our “Diabesity” epidemic Getting teenagers more active and how our gut hormones impact on obesity are just two of a wide range of topics being discussed at a major gathering of top national and international researchers at Auckland City Hospital today. (Friday, 17 […]

The Diabesity Crisis17 March 2017Auckland Watch The Diabesity Crisis – how can we make a difference? livestream here (via YouTube). Please be aware that the quality of the livestream is not very clear, please follow us @healthierNZ for photos and updates from the day. The Diabesity symposium is showcasing the latest national and international research […]

Te Ritorito3-4 April 2017Wellington Te Ritorito 2017 is a whānau, hapū and iwi wellbeing forum, jointly hosted by Te Puni Kōkiri and Superu. This two-day forum will provide an opportunity for researchers, policymakers, advocates and practitioners to discuss whānau, hapū and iwi wellbeing in our day-to-day practice and what the bigger picture means for both […]

Professor Tony Blakely, Healthier Lives principal investigator, is a co-author of a recent paper exploring the impact of food taxes and subsidies on health gains. The study applied the potential impact to the population of Australia. Findings included additional healthy-life years (2.1 years per 100 people alive in Australia in 2010), and a net cost […]

Healthier Lives Director Jim Mann today welcomed the joint announcement from Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith about three successful research projects to address long-term health conditions. “Healthier Lives has joined forces with the Health Research Council and the Ministry of Health in the Long Term Conditions (LTC) Partnership  to […]

The ‘cost’ of sugar16 March 2017Auckland The ‘cost’ of sugar forum is now fully subscribed.  You are invited to join the waiting list for our free public forum in Auckland examining the ‘cost’ of sugar. Healthier Lives National Science Challenge is collaborating with Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research and A Better Start National Science Challenge […]

The Project Activate movie features twelve 12-year-old kiwi kids and their families.  Add in several talented hosts with expertise to share—in a super-fun way—plus a raft of supporters, and you have the vital ingredients for healthy lifestyles for a whole community. Project Activate equips young people to make lifelong healthy choices by learning about the […]

The Diabesity Crisis17 March 2017Auckland New Zealand is facing a rising tide of ‘diabesity’. Our rates of diabetes and obesity are amongst the highest in the world. The problem is starting in early life and leading to increased levels of disability in mid- and later-life. There is a significant and growing cost in both human […]

Healthier Lives National Science Challenge, along with A Better Start, and Ageing Well—are partners in the NZ-China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre, which aims to bring together researchers from across New Zealand to strengthen research collaborations with China for the mutual benefit of both countries. In an exciting development a new Research Collaboration Manager position […]

New research calls into question a blood test used to identify diabetes risk. But we shouldn’t throw out the baby with bathwater, warn Prof Jim Mann and Dr Paul Drury. An Oxford University study and accompanying editorial, published in the British Medical Journal, have raised  questions regarding the most  appropriate approach to prevent or delay  […]

Healthier Lives Director, Professor Jim Mann, is interviewed on RadioLIVE about the Omega Lamb Project. The Project aims to breed ewes and lambs with a higher omega 3 content in their meat. Professor Mann is asked about whether healthier meat could contribute positively to human health. He recalls an earlier venture—polyunsaturated cows! He also discusses […]

New University of Otago research suggests that people managing type 2 diabetes should walk after meals to gain the greatest blood sugar-lowering benefits. Current advice in New Zealand is for people with type 2 diabetes to walk at least 30 minutes a day. No particular time of the day is advised. This research indicates that […]

Science Leadership Team member, Professor Tony Blakely and his team at University of Otago, Wellington, have just published a paper on Ethnic inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality based on New Zealand Census data. Our photo shows lead author, Dr Andrea Teng, presenting work on cardiovascular disease at our Healthier Lives Kōrero Tahi symposium. In […]

Healthier Lives is delighted that two of our Science Leadership team members have been recognised as researchers of international distinction. Professors Parry Guilford and Peter Shepherd have both been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The Society noted their contributions to research as follows: Professor Parry Guilford, from the University of […]

People with type 2 diabetes in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin have been the first in the world to trial a new treatment. The COMPLEMENT Study is using Metabolic Neuromodulation Therapy, in a one-off procedure, to change nerve signals to reduce blood sugar levels. Almost half of people with type 2 diabetes can’t adequately control […]

Dr Rinki Murphy, Healthier Lives Science Leadership Team member, and associate investigator, and Terry Ehau, also an associate investigator, have been involved in producing a free app about living with type 2 diabetes. The app has been designed specifically for New Zealanders. It helps people learn about the condition through a story-telling approach. The app […]

Deputy Director of Healthier Lives, Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu, comments on the review of marketing food to children. The Advertising Standards Authority is responsible for the review, and Professor Ni Mhurchu has serious concerns about the current system. She recommends that the World Health Organisation system should underpin our standards, as it excludes unhealthy foods. […]

There’s sugar and then there’s sugar? What do those Health Star ratings on packets really mean? Does a paleo diet have merit? We are bombarded by messages about what is good for us, who’s advice should we trust? What things should we be considering as we make our decisions about the food we eat? Here’s […]

Healthier Lives Kōrero Tahi18 October 2018Wellington 2016 Kōrero TahiResearchers, communities, practitioners and policymakers building healthier communities together The Healthier Lives National Science Challenge invites you to join us for our inaugural kōrero tahi. Working together to address non-communicable diseases This is an opportunity for researchers, community representatives, health practitioners and policymakers to talk together about […]

New Zealand nutrition experts are calling for an end to the pitting of carbohydrates against fats and say we should instead focus on what is most important—the quality of food in our diets. Current nutrition guidelines have been criticised by some who claim that carbs should be restricted in diets rather than fats. A commentary […]

We congratulate Professor Vicky Cameron, Healthier Lives Science Leadership Team member and principal investigator, on her appointment as Deputy Dean for the University of Otago Christchurch campus. Professor Cameron is a firm believer in scientists’ responsibility to share findings with the community—particularly their research participants. “I believe we owe it to those that participate in […]