The George Institute for Global Health is a health and medical research institute whose mission is to improve the health of millions of people worldwide. As of 2017, we have projects in approximately 50 countries, and raised 650 million dollars for global health research since 1999. The Lancet “one of the world’s most renowned global health research institutions”, and UNSW Sydney Vice-Chancellor Prof Ian Jacobs described us as “a dynamic medical institute with an enviable track record in public and clinical health research and an international reach”.
With over 600 staff globally in Australia, China, India and the UK, we collaborate with universities, health professionals, hospitals and governments around the world. Our areas of research include: chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke; and injury prevention, such as falls prevention.
Examples of The George Institute’s work include:
- In late 2016, one of our projects to help people with heart disease won $750,000 in the Google Impact Challenge.
- We are developing the world’s first affordable dialysis system for use in remote and developing areas.
- A study of 3,200 foods found gluten-free foods are no healthier than non-gluten-free foods for people without Celiac disease or other relevant conditions.
- A large scale study of 4 million people in the United Kingdom confirmed that people with high blood pressure have a much greater chance of developing diabetes.
- A study of 380,000 births in six countries found the incidence of childhood cancer rises with higher birthweight.
- Foodswitch, a consumer smartphone app that scans the barcodes of food products to get nutritional information and suggest healthier alternatives.
- In New South Wales, Australia, The George worked with other health groups to encourage McDonald’s to comply with local fast food labelling regulations.
- In Australia, The George joined with over 30 other health and community groups to lobby the federal government for healthcare reform and increased funding.
- A study successfully used smartphone apps to help manage cardiovascular disease in rural India, China and other areas with limited resources and access to traditional medical services.
- A successful education program that reduced the amount of salt eaten by some families in China.
- A partnership with UNICEF and University of Oxford to train journalists in India about health reporting.
- Three George Institute researchers were included in Thomson Reuters World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds 2015 report.
