UNSW Medicine & Health

14/11/2025

COP30 must centre the voices of Indigenous communities and women to address the health inequities being worsened by climate change, experts say.

The increased frequency of extreme weather events is having a devastating effect on human health and medical systems – from heightening maternal and reproductive health risks to increasing food insecurity.

Yet, the people most affected are often not included in the development of climate solutions.

Researchers from the UNSW and The George Institute for Global Health discuss why effective action needs to be community-focussed and led by those with lived experience.

UNSW academics explain why COP30 must not overlook the power of grassroots and community-based responses – especially with the health impacts of climate change.

11/11/2025

Congratulations to Professor Henry Brodaty, who has been named the 2026 NSW Senior Australian of the Year. 🎉

This honour acknowledges Prof. Brodaty’s trailblazing work as a clinician, researcher and advocate for people living with dementia.

“This award is a tribute to my father, who lived with young-onset dementia, my mother, who was his devoted carer, and to all those living with dementia and their families,” said Prof. Brodaty, Co-Director of the UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing.

“We’ve moved from hopelessness to hope - from stigma to science - in the way we understand and respond to dementia. I’m proud to have played a part in this transformation.”

Learn more about Prof. Brodaty’s outstanding career: https://bit.ly/43qNErf

10/11/2025

Should you be taking magnesium supplements to help with sleep and muscle cramps, or is it just marketing hype?

While magnesium is essential for the body’s functioning, whether you need magnesium supplements depends your diet, health conditions and age.

Experts explain the signs of low magnesium to look out for, and what magnesium products are safest to use.

Do you need to take magnesium, or is it just marketing hype? The simple rule is: you only need a magnesium supplement if you show signs of low magnesium.

07/11/2025

Children with multiple neurodevelopmental conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing severe depression and anxiety, according to a recent study involving UNSW experts.

Health systems around the world are seeing a growing number of children with more than one developmental condition – such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, cerebral palsy and Tourette syndrome – yet there has been limited research to understand the emotional difficulties affecting these kids.

The new study reveals the hidden mental health burden and has important implications for health services and planning.

Read more:

Children with more than one developmental condition – such as ADHD, autism or others – are at risk of depression or anxiety too. And health systems need to adapt.

05/11/2025

Congratulations to Dr David Khoury from the Kirby Institute at UNSW, who has been awarded a Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. 🎉

Dr Khoury received the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year in recognition of his outstanding work in infectious disease modelling, which has guided international policies on COVID-19 and mpox as well as the development of new antimalarial drugs.

“My passion is applying maths to laboratory science to help make important real-world decisions that can change people's lives,” Dr Khoury said. “It has enabled faster development and deployment of life-saving treatments.”

Dr Khoury said this award was an absolute honour and a testament to “the hard work that my family put in to help me through school, and the team and collaborators I now work with, without whom the work that I do wouldn't be possible.”

https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2025/11/UNSW-researcher-awarded-Prime-Ministers-Prize-for-Science?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

05/11/2025

Happy 25th birthday to the UNSW Rural Clinical Campuses! 🥳

Over the past 25 years, thousands of medical students have been trained across our rural campuses in Albury, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga, with many continuing to practise in regional communities.

Thank you to all the students, staff, local doctors, hospitals, health professionals and community members, who have helped us to reach this milestone.

Here’s to the next 25 years! 🩺

03/11/2025

UNSW researchers have secured more than $35 million from Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project scheme.

This funding will support 54 projects across the faculties of Medicine & Health, Science, Engineering, Law & Justice, Business, Arts, Design & Architecture, and UNSW Canberra, that will work to deliver cultural, social, health and economic benefits for Australia.

Fifty-four UNSW projects across seven faculties will advance bold ideas, foster collaboration and deliver long-term national benefits.

31/10/2025

Malnutrition affects around 10% of older Australians, but rates rise to 30-40% among older adults in hospital.

It can delay recovery, prolong hospital stays, and increase the risk of complications and readmission.

UNSW’s Dr Zhaoli Dai-Keller and colleagues found that a lack of familiar food options may prevent patients from eating properly, particularly among adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The team outlines four practical steps to improve hospital food satisfaction and support better health outcomes.

Most older patients in a recent study had a ‘no complaints’ attitude to hospital food. But when it was unfamiliar, they were less likely to eat it.

30/10/2025

‘Quadrobics’ has become a fitness trend and an online spectacle, encouraging people to exercise on all fours with moves such as bear crawls and leopard walks.

But is this just a fad workout, or could it actually be beneficial?

Experts unpack the current evidence on whether quadrobics can increase fitness, strength and mobility.

The trend is largely inspired and practiced by ‘therians’. Not to be confused with furries, therians are people who identify as non-human animals.

28/10/2025

Four UNSW Medicine & Health academics have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS). 🎉

Scientia Professor Julian Trollor has been recognised for his significant contributions to reducing the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disability.

SHARP Professor Alta Schutte has been honoured for her impactful and internationally-recognised research on elevated and high blood pressure.

Professor Valsamma Eapen has been recognised for her outstanding work to provide equitable care for children with neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

Conjoint Professor David Ziegler has been honoured for his clinical expertise and research leadership which has transformed the care of children with high-risk cancers.

They are among 29 of the nation’s top health and medical researchers to have been elected as AAHMS Fellows this year.

https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2025/10/Four-UNSW-academics-join-Academy-of-Health-and-Medical-Sciences?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

27/10/2025

UNSW researchers have been awarded $1.76 million in funding from the Heart Foundation to improve the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

The eight funded projects include research investigating the link between the gut microbiome and CVD, testing medications to protect heart health, and improving stroke diagnoses.

Read more:

The Heart Foundation will fund eight UNSW projects to help drive breakthroughs in preventing heart disease and to improve the treatment and care of people living with it.

23/10/2025

What will tomorrow’s hospitals look like?

From digital health to precision medicine, we’re entering a new era of health innovation.

Join UNSW Medicine & Health for MedConnect | The hospital of the future, a dynamic online panel exploring how technology and design are transforming care delivery.

Leading health care experts will explore how we can drive innovation that’s equitable, embrace AI without losing the human touch, and build hospital systems that are resilient and truly sustainable.

📅 Tuesday 18 November

⏰ 10:00 - 11:00AM

📍Online

Don’t miss out, register today: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/medconnect-the-hospital-of-the-future-tickets-1811821800779?aff=MedSocials