COLLABORATION TO DEVELOP EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO HELP IMPROVE OSTEOARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT Haleon and University of Sydney launch 5-Year fellowship to research efficacy of dietary supplements
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney and online | February 2025
INTERVIEWS
Professor David Hunter,
Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology
Co-Director Sydney Musculoskeletal Health Flagship,
University of Sydney
Dr Bincy Thampi,
Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead
Haleon ANZ
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.
Consumer healthcare company Haleon is sponsoring a five-year named fellowship program at the University of Sydney that will investigate the therapeutic role of supplements in managing osteoarthritis symptoms and digital health technologies that improve mobility.
The fellowship will fund a postdoctoral researcher to work under the guidance of world leading osteoarthritis expert, rheumatologist and researcher Professor David Hunter.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Professor Hunter who said the research collaboration represents a shared focus and investment in improving osteoarthritis management: “This is a disabling disease that has a huge impact on the people affected.”
“A collaborative effort between researchers and manufacturers will drive innovation and hopefully improve the lives of those impacted by this devastating disease. Use of supplements and natural ingredients in managing osteoarthritis is an exciting area with a lot of potential. I’m not aware of any other long-term, five-year projects of this nature that has osteoarthritis as its focus,” said Hunter.
Haleon and the University of Sydney have a shared goal of finding better management strategies for osteoarthritis and developing better outcomes for the people affected.
Dr Bincy Thampi, Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead at Haleon ANZ, also spoke with Australian Health Journal and says, “Haleon has a strong commitment to scientific research that drives innovative self-care and improves consumer health outcomes.”
“This partnership illustrates Haleon’s commitment to advancing trusted science for our products to better everyday health and we’re excited to see where this partnership with University of Sydney leads,” said Dr Thampi.
-
Sonia Marshall – South Western Sydney Local Health District
South Western Sydney Local Health District serves nearly 1 million people in a rapidly growing area of Sydney. Currently 250-300 families a week are moving into the region and with a growing population, the health district requires well executed strategy and delivery of healthcare to the population. Executive Director Sonia Marshall spoke with Australian Health Journal reporter Anne Dao at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week in Sydney, on supporting staff and the community. Sonia highlights the mission of delivering Safe Quality Healthcare at all times. In-time patient feedback is important and the SWSLHD has implemented a system called “My Experience Matters” to give near immediate response from patients on their level of care, whilst they are still on site at the hospital. The aim of the initiative is to quickly identify bad experiences that could be rectified.
-
Targeted National Lung Cancer Screening Program commences in 2025
In February 2025, Australian Health Journal spoke with Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer of Lung Foundation Australia, at the 10th Australian Lung Cancer Conference in Adelaide, on the upcoming commencement of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP)
-
Supporting women in arthroplasty, surgery & orthopaedic oncology
Associate Professor Claudia Di Bella is an academic orthopaedic surgeon based in Melbourne, specialising in orthopaedic oncology and complex joint reconstruction. Originally trained at the world-renowned Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute (Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli) in Bologna, Italy, she moved to Australia in 2010 and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2013.
