Background The Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) will be conducting its third round of the STEPS Survey in 2024.  The George Institute has been engaged to provide the MHMS with technical assistance in the implementation, data analysis and reporting of the survey, as part of Australia’s support to strengthening Fiji’s health sector. The consultancy will be led by Dr Bindu Patel and supported by a team of multidisciplinary experts: Professor Rohina Joshi (UNSW), Dr Anna Campain, Professor Jaime Miranda (USYD), Professor Laurent Billot and Sana Shan. Why the STEPS Survey?  Fiji is experiencing an alarming rising trend in deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly heart disease and diabetes, before the age of 70.1 According to World Health Organization data from 2017, Fiji is ranked 39 out of 183 countries in the world in fatalities from heart disease.2 The three leading causes of heart disease in Fiji are raised blood pressure, high blood sugar and

Background Pregnant women, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, are among the most vulnerable populations to climate change. India has experienced a marked rise in the intensity, frequency, and duration of heatwaves over the last half-century, with 2022 and 2024 being the hottest years since 1901. Extreme heat exposure has been linked to several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including: Preterm birth Stillbirth Gestational diabetes Small for gestational age babies Preeclampsia However, the biological mechanisms linking environmental heat to these outcomes remain poorly understood. Aim The Heat in Pregnancy – India (HiP-India) project is a multi-partner coalition of researchers across India and the UK seeking to understand why exposure to extreme heat leads to adverse birth outcomes. This Wellcome Trust-awarded project is a collaborative effort between the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI),

Hosted by The George Institute India, in partnership with Imperial College London, the NIHR Global Health Research Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Change aims to be a recognised centre of excellence on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and global environmental change in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), offering world-leading research, training and policy advice for health equity. LMICs face dual, intertwined challenges of a rapidly growing burden of NCDs and the existential threat of global environmental change. In addition, health systems in LMICs face specific challenges in delivering high-quality, equitable services for NCDs prevention and care, especially for marginalised populations most impacted by environmental change.Despite an increasingly recognised imperative for action, there is a paucity of evidence on cost-effective interventions to address major challenges emerging at the nexus of NCDs and environmental change.Our Centre will focus on Bangladesh, India, and Indones

BackgroundIn India, transgender individuals face a disproportionate burden of mental illness, yet their mental health remains largely under-researched. Studies have revealed alarming statistics, such as 42.7% of transwomen experiencing moderate to severe depression and 48% suffering from psychiatric disorders. This is in stark contrast to the approximate 14% prevalence among gender conforming individuals. Recognizing mental health as a global priority, the United Nations has emphasized addressing mental illness as crucial for sustainable development.AimsOur project aims to address this pressing issue by conducting a preliminary evaluation of a peer support model tailored to the needs of transgender individuals in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. We seek to explore the effects of this model on anxiety, depression, suicide/self-harm rates, and overall psychological wellbeing. Additionally, we aim to assess the acceptability of the peer support approach and identify factors that facilitate or impede i

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is caused by a loss of kidney function. This leaves the body unable to remove waste products, and balance water and electrolyte levels effectively. Some people with AKI may experience it short-term and recover their kidney function. For others, AKI may progress further and develop into chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially for those who have other co-existing conditions that require treatment. People who have recovered from AKI, however, have an increased risk of other health problems or even having AKI again in the future.A new class of oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs, called sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, were initially used in the treatment of T2DM. They work by increasing the removal of glucose, and in turn lowering blood glucose levels. There is now a growing amount of research evidence to show SGLT2 inhibitors have additional benefits in people who are at risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce the p

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a condition where the kidneys are damaged, and their function reduced. This can lead to a build-up of fluid in the body, decreased urine output and an increase in toxins in the blood. AKI may be short-term, with people recovering the function of their kidneys. In other people, the disease progresses, and mortality rates can be as high as 45%. In adults who are admitted to hospital, up to 20% will be diagnosed with AKI as the primary reason for being admitted. Research from both Australia and the US have shown the rate of AKI to have increased greatly over the past 10 years, and that this trend will continue to rise. With significant impacts on people’s quality of life, AKI is an increasing global healthcare issue. Most research into the incidence of AKI is from within the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the rate of AKI diagnosed outside the ICU is much larger. This can be due to physical injury to the kidneys, kidney stones, infection of the kidneys, damage c