Wednesday, 21 November 2007

With more of us living in cities than ever before, a new Australia-first, multi-disciplinary centre at The University of Western Australia will study the ways in which the urban environment affects our health.

Directed by 2007 Fulbright Senior Scholar, Professor Billie Giles-Corti, the Centre for the Built Environment and Health will be opened by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan, at 5.30pm, on Thursday, November 22, at UWA’s Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.

“Understanding the impact of urban design on health and health behaviour is an emerging field of research internationally,” Professor Giles-Corti said.

“This new centre will undertake cutting-edge research that can be translated into policy and practice to create a more sustainable future.”

Mental illness, obesity, injury, violence, allergies, asthma and infectious diseases are some of the health issues affected by various aspects of city living including air and water quality, open space, social cohesion, physical activity and personal safety.

The relationship between diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, heart disease and diabetes will be one of the aspects of city life studied at the new centre which will support a range of State and Federal Government initiatives including the work of the Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce.

Taskforce spokesperson Jennifer Riatti, said the opening of the centre positions WA as a key beneficiary of the research.

“The Taskforce is extremely lucky to have access to a world-class research centre. The work done there will help us to get more West Australians active more often,” Ms Riatti said

From UWA’s School of Population Health, Professor Giles-Corti established the first Australian research program examining the link between urban design and health. She was recognised with a President’s Award for her work with the National Heart Foundation and, through her work as foundation director of the UWA Albany Centre, the University won a national University Teaching Award and was nominated for a Premier’s Award for its services to Remote and Rural Communities.

Media references

Professor Billie Giles-Corti 61 8 6488 1257
61 8 9381 8560 / 0424 441 861

Simone Hewett / Sally-Ann Jones 61 8 6488 7977
(UWA Public Affairs) 0420 790 097 / 0420 790 098

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