A new centre at Sunshine Hospital to research prevention and management of chronic diseases will open tomorrow.
The Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CCDPM) is part of Victoria University, located within the Western Centre for Health Research and Education.
CCDPM director Professor Maximilian de Courten says the facility is for people living in Brimbank and surrounding areas.
“In order to study global health you need to be anchored within a community,” he said. “VU is in a great position, drawing on an actual community and actual residential area, learning with them, from them, to contribute to lessons which are then applicable to a much wider community.”
Professor de Courten said the most common chronic diseases in Brimbank were diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues.
“These are complex diseases with not just a single cause so we talk about management rather than treatment,” Professor de Courten said. “It’s also about streamlining existing research and making it more strategic.
“Medical treatment is a big part, but so is personal management. Good nutrition and physical activity can’t be picked up at a pharmacy.”
Professor de Courten said many contributing factors fell outside the health sector, such as economic policies that determined product costs or laws about alcohol and tobacco sales and advertising.
“We also want to work with urban planners… to make them understand that what they do actually has an impact on our health,” he said.
The opening will be at 2.30pm in the level 1 auditorium of the Western Centre for Health Research and Education.
