Around the Precinct – 8 July 2021

This week’s round-up showcases the enormous breadth of research here at the Alfred Research Alliance – from clinical trials for life-saving cancer treatments to world-first studies investigating the impact of climate change on mortality, and expert policy advice to health organisations both here and overseas. The common thread? Applying innovative thinking to solve critical health challenges and improve the lives of people all over the world.

This week we also mark NAIDOC Week, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for 2021, ‘Heal Country!’, highlights the significance of Country as so much more than a place – it is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions and language – and the need for stronger measures to recognise and protect it for generations to come.

Philip Sullivan

Philip Sullivan took part in a life-saving clinical trial at The Alfred.

Alfred Health

Alfred’s pharmacy excellence heads to the regions
Alfred Health’s pharmacy excellence in clinical trials is now being transferred into other Victorian hospitals thanks to a new initiative that will provide more cancer trials to regional and remote patients.
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Philip’s second chance at life thanks to cancer trial
Knowing what he knows now, Philip Sullivan says he’d walk through fire to get on a clinical trial.
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Monash University

More than $25m awarded to Monash researchers for vital medical research
Preventing deaths from cancer, therapies for traumatic brain injury, new models of rehabilitation for stroke and patients on ventilation, and improving quality use of medicines in residential aged care are among projects funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) awarded to Monash University researchers.
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Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

World’s largest study of global climate-related mortality links 5 million deaths a year to abnormal temperatures
More than five million extra deaths a year can be attributed to abnormal hot and cold temperatures, according to a world-first international study led by Monash University.
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The impact of coal mine fire smoke on lung health
Recent findings from the Hazelwood Health Study outline that three and a half years after the mine fire, higher levels of smoke exposure were associated with poorer lung function in adults.
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Burnet Institute

Morrison’s COVID roadmap a step in the right direction
Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC and Deputy Director Professor Margaret Hellard AM take a critical look at Australia’s staged COVID roadmap in this commentary for Nine Media.
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Why is Delta such a worry?
Burnet Institute Technical Advisor Know-C19 Hub, Professor Mike Toole AM takes a close look at the COVID-19 Delta variant in a global context in this commentary originally published in The Conversation.
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Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by all Australians from all walks of life.
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Modelling says vaccine alone won’t be panacea back to normal life
Virus modelling experts suggest interventions such as QR check-ins, social distancing, density controls and masking intervention will be needed through all the reopening stages agreed by the National Cabinet.
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Professor Brendan Crabb to lead Australian Global Health Alliance
Burnet Institute Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC has been appointed Chair of the Australian Global Health Alliance.
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