The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) is flipping the script on how health and medical research is done, putting people, not problems, at the centre.
Through its bold new initiative Health Pulse, HMRI is moving beyond the lab to listen directly to the community—gathering real stories, real needs, and real priorities from people across the Hunter New England region.
There are no lab coats or blood tests involved, just a short, anonymous survey that asks one powerful question: what matters most to you when it comes to your health?
So far, more than 1,500 people have shared their thoughts at community events, farmers markets, footy games, and regional shows. From Newcastle to Narrabri, Tamworth to Muswellbrook, HMRI’s team has been striking up honest conversations about everything from cancer and heart disease to healthy ageing, mental health, and access to services.
“We’ve spoken with carers balancing kids and ageing parents, young people facing mental health challenges, and older residents managing chronic illness,” says Carol Duncan OAM, HMRI’s Public Engagement Lead.
“What we’re hearing is loud and clear. Health is deeply personal, and solutions need to reflect that. That means our research needs to reflect that too.”
Health Pulse is research with heart and with people. It positions community members not as passive subjects, but as active shapers of future research. It’s about listening before acting and turning lived experience into evidence-based solutions that reflect the region’s true needs.
“We’re not just doing research for the community, we’re doing it with the community,” says Professor Frances Kay, HMRI CEO and Institute Director.
“Health Pulse is a platform for citizen science that empowers people to turn their experiences and insights into something bigger, into research that matters. It is not just about responding to a survey, it’s your chance to contribute to citizen-led science that will not only help shape our region’s health future but will guide the research that could one day improve your own health, or the health of someone you love.”
Already, community insights are informing emerging research ideas and helping HMRI set future priorities across its network of more than 1,700 researchers, students, and staff from the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District, and HMRI.
Whether it’s tackling chronic disease, improving mental health services, or understanding the health impacts of rural living, your voice matters.
There’s still time to join the conversation. Share what matters most to you at hmri.org.au/HealthPulse
