DISCIPLINE
Global and Environmental Health
Investigating global health issues around our ecosystem,
environment and occupations
The Global and Environmental Health research group looks at the relationships between ecosystems, environmental and occupational agents, and health, at local and global levels. It focuses on issues such as maternal and child health, healthy ageing, and disease resulting from occupational and environmental exposures, such as mining hazards, asbestos, air pollution, heat, noise and water.
The group also investigates the positive impact of green and blue spaces on health, which relates to having nature and water around you to better your health. The research team is multidisciplinary, with the goal of improving health for all people by reducing the environmental exposures that lead to avoidable disease, disabilities and deaths.
Current projects
Find a selection of our current Global and Environmental Health research projects below. We welcome you to discuss other research project ideas with us. Local students can contact the Graduate Research Coordinator at the School of Population and Global Health for more information. International students can use our online enquiry form, which helps us match your research interests with a potential supervisor.
- Asbestos Removalists Health Study
- The Asbestos Removalists Health Study assesses the development of lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in professional asbestos removalists. The study will try to understand if current work practices protect the health of workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos materials.
- Asbestos Review Program
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The Asbestos Review Program (ARP) is a dedicated clinic to follow up with people who have worked with, or have had significant exposure to asbestos. The program began in 1990 for people who worked in the Wittenoom asbestos mines or lived in the town of Wittenoom. It has since been extended to include any person who has had at least three months full-time work with asbestos.
PhD opportunities
There are opportunities for PhD students wishing to undertake clinical or epidemiological research within the ARP.
Contact Dr Fraser Brims or Dr Peter Franklin for more information.
- Green and/or blue space and morbidity and mortality among older men
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This project investigates how proximity to different types of green and blue space affects men’s long-term health outcomes. We are looking at the impact these spaces on stroke, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory related illness, as well mental health, physical activity and obesity.
Research partners
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing
- ECU School of Natural Sciences
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health
Contact School of Population and Global Health lecturer Ania Stasinska for more information at [email protected] or call +61 8 6488 1354.
- Health in men air quality study
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This project investigates the effects of air pollution on cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory outcomes in 12,000 men enrolled in the WA Centre for Health and Ageing, Health in Men study.
Research partners
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing
- ECU School of Natural Sciences
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health
- IRAS- Utrecht University
- European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects
Contact Professor Jane Heyworth for more information at [email protected] or call +61 8 6488 7370.
- The Australian Workplace Noise Study
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We have undertaken a national cross-sectional survey in Australian workplaces to estimate the prevalence of exposure to noise and ototoxic chemicals, in what industries the exposures occur, and whether available controls are being used. We are examining the data to determine the burden of work-related hearing loss and priorities for preventive action.
Research partners
- Curtin University School of Public Health (lead institution)
- National Acoustic Laboratory
Contact Professor Jane Heyworth for more information at [email protected] or call +61 8 6488 7370.
- WA Modern Mining Cohort study
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The Western Australian mine health surveillance ran from 1996 to 2013 and collected data on the demographic, lifestyle and health of 150,000 WA miners.
We are now using this cohort to assess cancer incidence, all-cause and cause specific mortality, and hospitalisation for non-malignant respiratory, cardiovascular, auto-immune and renal diseases.
PhD opportunities
There are opportunities for PhD students wishing to undertake epidemiological research using the WA Miners Cohort data.
Industry partner
- Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Contact Dr Peter Franklin for more information at [email protected] or call +61 8 6488 7091.
Collaboration
The impact of our Global and Environmental Health research is elevated by close relationships with industry and community partners.
If you have an issue that requires specialised research and development expertise, or you would like to develop a joint research arrangement with UWA, the Office of Research Enterprise can help.
$2 million in funding to boost medical research
Research into developing new medical technologies and ways of improving patient care will receive a $1 million boost from the Australian Government funded Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre (MTPConnect) which will be matched by $1 million from the medical sector.
Read moreGlobal health reach with the School of Population and Global Health
Although the UWA School of Population and Global Health has been participating in, and leading worldwide health initiatives for many years, it was during the 2016 renewal of the University structure that the School was formally recognised for their important work with the extension of its name.
Read moreThree out of four tradies can't identify asbestos
Dr Peter Franklin, a senior research fellow in Population and Global Health at The University of Western Australia, said asbestos remained abundant in WA because so much of it was used in buildings and other products before 1990.
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