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Health

Our research on the prevention, detection and management of disease and injury transcends medical practice, driving health outcomes and quality of life at a global scale.

World-Class Research updates

ECU has a vibrant research community, actively supporting our student and staff researchers. We continually seek opportunities to collaborate with other universities and to work with organisations and businesses to commercialise research outcomes.

Woman sitting on couch looking out window
Predicting the future

How a quick scan can detect dementia risk

New research from ECU shows that common bone density scans can also reveal plaque build-up in the abdominal aorta - which researchers have found is a reliable marker for developing dementia.

A grey haired man stretching his arm over his head
A fighting future

Prostate cancer exercise

New research from ECU has shown that exercise causes muscles to secrete proteins called myokines into our blood that can suppress tumour growth and even help actively fight cancerous cells.

Fried grasshopper (belalang goreng) served with sambal, onion, garlic, chili on wood background
Safe and sustainable food

Putting bugs on the menu

ECU research has found 20 proteins in cricket-based food products that could trigger severe allergic reactions in those consuming these nutrient-rich insects.

Senior man on treadmill with therapist in fitness studio
Psychological distress

Exercise oncology

For more than 15 years ECU's Exercise Medicine Research Institute has been at the forefront of the science and clinical practice behind exercise oncology.

Two soccer players from opposing teams playing on grass field, at night, lit by floodlights
Research Goes Global

ACRISP research

Researchers from the Australian Centre for Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention (ACRISP), are collaborating with sports bodies worldwide to turn elite-level research into practical benefits for sport and public health.

Firefighter standing in front of a wall of flames
Disaster trauma

Helping the heroes

ECU's disaster expert Associate Professor Erin Smith's research into the impact on first responders has uncovered the startling psychological trauma that remains long after the crisis subsides.

Jungle scene
Fighting disease

Environmental management

Researchers from ECU are at the forefront of the fight against water-related diseases in the IndoPacific Region, with a focus on Fiji.

Human and robot hand connecting
Improving lives

Medical research meets AI

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a gamechanger in the field of medical research, transforming clinicians' ability to accurately and rapidly diagnose disease. Professor David Suter is spearheading ECU's efforts in this exciting area.

silhouette of woman in yoga pose at sunrise
Powerful and predictive

Suboptimal health

ECU's Professor Wei Wang, who coined the term in 2009, and has developed a tool to measure suboptimal health status, says the concept is the key to delivering predictive, preventive, and personalised medicine.

Medical scans
Predicting disease

Hope for Huntington's

ECU researchers have developed a new assessment tool that can predict the onset of Huntington's disease, paving the way for more targeted treatment for sufferers of this rare genetic disorder.

The full blood count is the most commonly ordered blood test in Australia
Full blood count

Haemochromatosis research

Researchers have developed a way to use data already gathered in Australia's most commonly ordered blood test to detect the iron overload disorder HFE Haemochromatosis.

Red apples
Living longer

Flavonoid research

Today, modern science is uncovering mounting evidence for a group of compounds with the potential to help ward off an early death.

Emergency patient in an ambulance on her way to the hospital
Emergency response

Triage VR simulation

The Virtual Reality Mass Casualty Triage Simulator, developed by a team of researchers at ECU, is an innovative educational application that provides high fidelity training for mass casualty incidents to paramedics and tertiary paramedical science students.

Closeup of young woman's face with freckles
A world first

The Melanoma mission

ECU researchers have developed the world's first blood test capable of detecting melanoma in its early stages, a breakthrough that will save thousands of lives, as well as millions of dollars for the health system.

Grandfather holding baby boy on beach
Faster cancer detection

AI & cancer cell detection

ECU's Melanoma researchers have teamed up with artificial intelligence specialists to develop a way to use the technology to accurately and more quickly identify cancer cells circulating in the blood.

X-ray of normal spine
Early warning signs

Bone scans

Bone density scans that are routinely performed to identify the risk of fractures could also give and early warning for heart attacks and strokes, new research has found.

A disabled man sitting in his wheelchair
Hope for the injured

Spinal cord research

A form of strength training rarely used on spinal cord patients due to concerns about its intensity has been shown to deliver a raft of health benefits in a small but potentially ground-breaking study by ECU.

data visualization
On the playing field

Harnessing data to prevent injuries

Professor Caroline Finch at ECU in Perth, Australia, is ensuring competitors at every level stay on the field, thanks to her research on sports-injury prevention, education and awareness.