Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

Study brings science of bushfire smoke to the frontline of firefighting

University of Wollongong research is helping close the gap between the science of bushfire smoke and the health and safety protections firefighters need on the frontline.

Published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire, the study synthesises global research on smoke composition, toxicity and exposure pathways, and the effectiveness of protective equipment and decontamination procedures. It responds directly to firefighter feedback and coronial inquest recommendations following the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires.

‘Firefighters operate in incredibly complex environments and face hazards from smoke that are often invisible,’ said lead author Dr Max Desservettaz, research fellow at UOW's School of Science. ‘Supporting firefighter health means ensuring they have the best available information to manage the risks inherent in protecting our communities.’

The team is now working with national partners through the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council to translate the findings into practical and accessible guidance for fire agencies nationally.

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 13: Climate Action
• Goal 15: Life on Land
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Researchers tackle digital wellbeing for young people

University of Wollongong researchers have been awarded $978,192 by the NSW Government to investigate the effects of video gaming and screen use on children and adolescent wellbeing across multiple research projects.  

Led by Dr Karley Beckman and Dr Tiffani Apps from UOW's School of Education, the largest project investigates the links between gaming and wellbeing, cognition and learning among Year 9 students across NSW. The research will identify problematic behavioural markers from real gameplay data and support co-design of educational resources with students, parents and teachers to promote healthy digital engagement. 

It is estimated that between 500,000 and 2 million young Australians exhibit symptoms of internet gaming disorder (IGD), with a far greater number experiencing problematic play that falls below clinical thresholds but still negatively impacts education, health and wellbeing.  

The projects will generate critical evidence on the links between digital activity habits and youth health, wellbeing, cognition and learning outcomes, with Dr Beckman saying the research addresses a critical gap in our understanding of youth gaming behaviours.

‘We know most young Australians play video games regularly, but little is known about the specific links between screen use related to gaming and adolescent wellbeing,’ she said. 

‘Not all screen time is equivalent – playing games with friends after school may have benefits such as combatting loneliness, while playing the same game alone late at night might lead to negative impacts on health, wellbeing, social skills, and reduced school engagement.’

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

World-first research trial boosts health for people living with kidney disease

Groundbreaking UOW research is challenging long-held dietary advice, finding that a diverse, plant-rich diet can significantly improve gut health and reduce toxin levels in people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

The world-first study, led by former UOW PhD student Dr Jordan Stanford, involved participants consuming more than 30 different types of plant foods each week. The research found that CKD patients who followed the diet experienced significant improvements in their gut bacteria diversity and a reduction in blood and urine toxin levels, despite traditional advice restricting fruit and vegetable intake. 

Professor Kelly Lambert, co-director of the Kidney Lifestyle Research Group, said the most unwell patients gained the greatest benefit from the dietary change, with the study showing that ‘a more inclusive, plant-based approach is not only safe but potentially more beneficial, even for those with advanced kidney disease.’ 

The research, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, is the first to show the positive effects of a plant-dominant diet on CKD patients. As global prevalence of CKD continues to rise, the findings from the study offer a promising and accessible approach to managing the condition, potentially changing the lives of millions of people living with kidney disease worldwide.

This initiative supports: 

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

UOW Shoalhaven amplifies Aboriginal voices in medicine

In partnership with the Medical Journal of Australia, UOW hosted a First Nations Cultural Sharing Gathering at its Shoalhaven campus, bringing together Aboriginal community members and medical leaders to celebrate Indigenous voices in medicine. 

The gathering celebrated a special NAIDOC Week issue of the journal produced in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and guest edited by Associate Professor Paul Saunders, a proud Biripi man and Academic Lead, Indigenous Health in UOW's Graduate School of Medicine.  

‘This gathering marks a momentous occasion to showcase the rich knowledges and cultures of the vibrant South Coast Aboriginal communities, and advance UOW's and the Medical Journal of Australia's relationship with Aboriginal peoples,’ Dr Saunders said. 

The event highlighted UOW's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical leaders, with ceremonies, storytelling and cultural exchange paving the way for strengthened connections between medical institutions and Aboriginal communities.  

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Potential new treatment for motor neurone disease unveiled

University of Wollongong scientists have developed a breakthrough therapy that clears toxic proteins from nerve cells in a world-first discovery that could transform the treatment of motor neurone disease (MND). 

The proof-of-concept study, published in Nature Communications and led by Dr Christen Chisholm from UOW's Molecular Horizons, revealed a therapeutic designer molecule that targets and removes toxic proteins before they can accumulate and damage motor neurones. The research has the potential to benefit approximately 35% of people with inherited MND in Australia. 

The discovery builds on the work of the late Professor Justin Yerbury, who lost his own battle with MND in 2023 after dedicating much of his career to understanding the disease's development and progression. 

‘This research is the result of years of dedicated effort by many amazing scientists, all inspired by Justin and driven to advancing our understanding of MND and how to treat it,’ Dr Chisholm said.  

The project was undertaken by researchers from UOW’s Yerbury Lab in collaboration with renowned MND researcher, Professor Neil Cashman. 

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Supporting safer transitions home for older heart patients

University of Wollongong cardiovascular nurse researcher Professor Caleb Ferguson has been awarded a $652,000 Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship to transform how older adults with heart-related conditions transition safely from hospital to home. 

Professor Ferguson's program, based at UOW's Centre for Chronic and Complex Care Research, will develop a model of transitional care designed to improve recovery, reduce hospital readmissions and enhance quality of life for people living with heart disease and stroke. 

‘Too often, patients feel as though they've “fallen off a cliff” after leaving hospital and returning home because they lack the preparation, information and support they need,’ Professor Ferguson said.  

The project builds on his expertise leading Australia's first clinical frailty registry, which has already highlighted the high rehospitalisation risk for older adults with multiple cardiovascular conditions. 

The 4-year fellowship involves partnerships with local and national health services and a large, multi-site clinical trial. The project reinforces UOW's focus on tackling national priorities in chronic disease, cardiovascular health and ageing.

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Groundbreaking research combats health problems in APAC regions

University of Wollongong researchers are tackling pressing health challenges across East Asia and Australia, addressing global health inequities through innovative collaborative research partnerships. Two major three-year projects led by UOW have been funded under the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) e-ASIA 2024 Joint Research Project scheme.

The first project – led by Associate Professor Guangming Jiang from UOW's School of Engineering and Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith from the School of Science and Molecular Horizons – uses artificial intelligence and wastewater surveillance to track the origins and spread of infectious diseases across the region.

The second project, led by Distinguished Professor Xu-Feng Huang from the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, examines the role of increased fibre intake in combating metabolic syndrome. Collaborating with researchers from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, the UOW team examined molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic syndrome to inform new personalised nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to control metabolic syndrome in South-East Asia and Australia.

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Home exercise pilot aims to reduce frailty in cardiovascular patients

Senior Research Fellow Dr Julee McDonagh from UOW’s School of Nursing was awarded funding to pilot an innovative home exercise program to improve frailty in cardiovascular patients.

Heart failure currently impacts one to two per cent of Australians, with around half becoming susceptible to developing increased frailty following treatment. This distressing geriatric syndrome can lead to both physical and cognitive decline, increasing patient vulnerability and severely impacting quality of life.  

The research project’s home-based program is designed to be practical, safe and effective for patients in their own environment, and tailored to their individual needs and limitations. It focuses on building strength, endurance and functional capacity.

By reducing frailty, the program aims to improve patient independence and reduce hospitalisation rates, with long-term potential to enhance quality of life for thousands of Australians.

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

UOW academics tackle nutrition and lifestyle management in multiple sclerosis care

Senior Research Fellow Professor Yasmine Probst from the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences and PhD candidate Karen Zoszak were awarded more than $300,000 in research funding from MS Australia to understand how lifestyle management and dietary advice impacts health outcomes for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Professor Probst, who lives with MS, led a multidisciplinary team of health professionals to advance a clinical trial to test lifestyle management and help participants make positive changes to nutrition, physical activity and self-management of the disease.  
Changes to health measures, including disability, fatigue and sleep were assessed, with long-term evaluation to consider whether a tailored lifestyle approach can result in increased weight loss and greater improvements to MS symptoms.

Meanwhile, Ms Zoszak investigated whether online dietary advice for MS aligns with Australian Dietary Guidelines and explored associations with health outcomes in people living with the disease. Her research addresses growing concerns that people with MS often search online for dietary advice that may be unreliable, contradictory or potentially harmful.

With more than 33,000 Australians currently diagnosed with MS, this work aims to ensure people receive accurate, evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle guidance to increase their confidence and support their health and wellbeing.

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

Nanotechnology enables development of sensor to detect pain levels

Next-generation smart sensors enabled by nanotechnology are leading advancements in diverse fields, delivering previously unimaginable levels of sensitivity and portability.
 
According to UOW graduate and world-renowned researcher and inventor in bioanalytical chemistry, biosensors, and sustainable nanomaterials, Distinguished Professor Omowunmi Sadik, the potential to address complex challenges is enormous.

Professor Sadik, based at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, explains her research group is focused on developing innovative bioanalytical sensors for medical and environmental applications. They are currently working on a sensor to measure the level of pain an individual is experiencing.

When a physician asks a patient to rate their pain levels on a numerical scale, it can be very subjective, and in some cases – such as with children, the elderly, or those who are unconscious – it can be difficult to articulate at all. By developing sensors that accurately measure biomarkers released in the body because of pain, doctors, clinicians, and nurses can be provided with a more objective assessment of a patient’s level of pain.

This initiative supports:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities