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Nutrition implementation research

Program overview High blood pressure is the biggest cause of premature death and disability worldwide, and excess sodium intake in the form of salt, is a major contributor. Despite global commitments to reduce population sodium intake, most countries remain off track to meet these targets, highlighting the need for new approaches that can improve cardiovascular health at scale. Our major focus of the Nutrition Implementation Research team is switching the world’s salt supply to potassium-enriched salt. Replacing regular salt with potassium-enriched salt has the potential to prevent an estimated 3 million deaths and 10 million strokes and heart attacks globally each year. Through research, stakeholder engagement and implementation strategies, the team is leading efforts to support the global transition to potassium-enriched salt and accelerate progress towards population sodium reduction. Expected outcomes Our research aims to support policies and programs that reduce sodium intake,

Climate-proofing care

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to global health. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures and sea levels are worsening non-communicable diseases (NCDs), threatening food and water security, and cutting people off from healthcare when they need it most. Since the start of the 21st century, heat alone has killed around half a million people every year, on average. But the climate crisis does not affect everyone equally. The risks are different if you are pregnant, manage a chronic condition, or live in a region vulnerable to climate change. Our research seeks to improve our understanding of these different risks. Working with communities, we develop practical solutions to protect people across some of the geographies most affected by climate change, including the Pacific region, Indian subcontinent, and beyond. In doing so, we aim to help create a climate-resilient future where where health and wellbeing is prioritised and strengthened for generations to come.

Helping create healthier beginnings through Food is Medicine

Novo Nordisk Foundation is supporting research that could transform how nutritious food is integrated into pregnancy care.

Preconception care: Building a stronger foundation for women’s lifelong health

News / Opinion piece

Webinar series: Digital health & AI readiness in primary care systems

Event

Study of nearly 5,000 Delhi students finds 65% cross major roads alone, calls for safer infrastructure around schools

News / Media release

WHO SEARO and The George Institute for Global Health, India collaborate on digital health and AI for primary care and non-communicable diseases

News

Varadharajan Srinivasan

Profile

Varadharajan Srinivasan is Programme Manager at The George Institute for Global Health, India, and leads The Resilience Collaborative, a global initiative focused on strengthening resilience among frontline health workers. He also contributes to managing an NIH Epidemiological study and developing digital application to strengthen Remote patient management. He also anchors the collaboration with WHO SEARO on Digital Health and AI.

He has played a key role in the nationwide rollout of the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare -- NCD application for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Developed Referral hospital infrastructure for a State Government and was involved in design, development and deployment of Health development projects for Pan India NGO.

His current work focuses on co-producing interventions and implementation research in the intersections of mental health, digital health focused on contributing to Health Systems Sciences.

How Associate Professor Mei Ling Yap puts cancer prevention into practice

News / Media mentions

Executive leadership team

Our Executive Leadership Team is a dynamic group of professionals united by a shared commitment to innovation, integrity, and impact. Drawing on diverse expertise across health, research, and operations, they play a vital role in driving our mission forward. Together, they ensure that we deliver on our goals to improve global health and build stronger, healthier communities.

Qiang Li

Profile

Qiang is Lead Biostatistician in Statistics Division at the George Institute and Conjoint Associate Professor at The University of New South Wales. He has a master degree in Biostatistics from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor degree in Public Health (Preventive Medicine) from Xi'an JiaoTong University (China). He is an accredited statistician by the Statistical Society of Australia since 2009. 

Prior to joining the George Institute in 2007, Qiang worked at the Woolcock institute of medical research (Australia) for one year and at the School of Public Health in Xi'an JiaoTong University (China) for six years. In his current position, Qiang Li is responsible for the design, analysis and reporting of numerous medical studies ranging from health surveys and epidemiological studies to multinational clinical trials in critical care, cardiovascular diseases, neurological and mental health illnesses, renal and metabolic diseases. In 19 years at the George Institute, he has worked on numerous major research studies including NHMRC funded studies as well as a number of clinical trials sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry.

Professor Vivekanand Jha

Profile

Professor Jha is a Professorial Fellow at the George Institute and the Chair of Global Kidney Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, and the past President of the International Society of Nephrology.

He has wide-ranging research interests, including understanding the health and societal impact of kidney diseases around the world and the development of affordable, scalable and sustainable primary and secondary prevention tools. 

He has worked with many organisations including the WHO to develop clinical practice guidelines and advocacy papers, has lectured extensively around the world, and is a prolific writer and editor.