Tasmanian medical research charity funds projects that have a global impact and improve community health and well-being.
- Tasmanian medical research charity funds projects that support community health and well-being, with clinicians and researchers working across the health system and university.
- Tasmanian medical research on childhood cataracts and gene variants can be easily studied and applied globally due to the small population and genetic diversity of the island state.
- The Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation funds medical research in various fields to support the Tasmanian community, in areas such as cardiothoracic, neurological conditions, and premature babies.
- Research supported by RHHRF has led to the development of innovative treatments for JackJumper ant bites, resulting in the establishment of a desensitisation clinic at the hospital and a significant reduction in deaths from anaphylactic shocks caused by these bites.
- Tasmanian medical research has had a global impact, with projects like the Hobart Method being implemented in neonatal clinics worldwide, and blood pressure testing research involving patients from Tasmania, China, Italy, and other countries.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Stephanie Furler the Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation about the impact of this research locally and in global health.
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Investigating use of dietary supplements for osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability affecting over 2 million Australians, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on Chronic musculoskeletal conditions (2024) and 595 million people globally, according to BD 2021 Osteoarthritis Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of osteoarthritis, 1990–2020. It represents a significant public health burden that diminishes quality of life among ageing populations.
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Maximising benefits, minimising harms in population health screening
Population screening is an important contributor to advancing health outcomes through the early detection of and successful intervention for chronic disease. The evolution of science, technology and evidence relating to diseases which are or may be amenable to a population screening approach deserve broad discussion and the sharing of expertise and evidence. They also warrant close scrutiny in context of health policy and health resource allocation considerations.
In March, Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) convened Screening Conference Conference 2025 with the theme of ‘Population Screening for Chronic Disease – Maximising Benefits, Minimising Harms’.
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More health care volunteers needed for Street Side Medics
Identifying a gap in the healthcare of vulnerable people in New South Wales, Dr Daniel Nour founded Street Side Medics in August 2020, a not-for-profit, GP-led mobile medical service for people experiencing homelessness.
Dr. Daniel Nour is a cardiology advanced trainee at Royal North Shore Hospital and the founder of Street Side Medics, a mobile medical service dedicated to providing GP-led care to individuals experiencing homelessness. The initiative started from a customised van, which serves as a medical clinic, visiting food services and shelters across New South Wales and recently Victoria. Street Side Medics offers free medical care without requiring documentation, ID, or a Medicare card.
