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.
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Delivering anaesthetic services to countries where surgical services can’t be provided
Dr Wendy Falloon is an Anaesthetist of over 30 years experience and a Fellow of Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). She studied medicine at the University of Tasmania, and worked in Hobart, Sydney and the Uk while completing her specialist qualifications. Her primary professional focus has always been to deliver the best possible experience of anaesthesia to each and every patient, and for them to know that she sees and values them, and their stories.
Having been born in Africa, she realised even as a child that health and wealth were largely a product of where people happen to be born. This sowed the seed of her ongoing desire to be of help to others in less fortunate circumstances, ultimately leading to her volunteer work with the Mercy Ships charity. This is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her career, and she has volunteered in Africa with Mercy Ships 8 times since 2014.
