Breathing and Lung Health

Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Breathing and Lung Health Research Program is dedicated to researching, understanding and revolutionising healthcare for people with respiratory health issues across the lifespan.

Our broad research targets various conditions affecting the entire respiratory system, across the lifespan including the upper, middle, and lower airways, as well as the lungs.

Our research tackles various respiratory health challenges including:

asthma
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
vocal cord dysfunction
nose and upper airway disorders
sleep disorders, sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnoea
pleural disease
interstitial lung diseases
airway infections and allergies

Chronic diseases of the airways are extremely common in Australia. In fact, the prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world. Closer to home, in the Hunter New England region, our rates of asthma are even higher, particularly in children.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

While breathing conditions are extremely common in Australia, these conditions are frequently incorrectly diagnosed and under-treated.

This can lead to many problems including decreased quality of life, side effects due to incorrect treatment, and little to no symptom relief. Understandably, these symptoms can also cause increased stress.

People with under-treated asthma can experience sleep disturbance, tiredness and poor concentration. In severe cases, some respiratory conditions can lead to death.

If symptoms are severe, people with respiratory conditions may need to be admitted to hospital. Unscheduled hospital visits or healthcare presentations are more common for those with an undiagnosed or under-treated breathing condition. This puts additional strain on our stretched healthcare system.

Ultimately, breathing conditions are not being diagnosed and treated properly. Our research aims to change that.

Addressing the root causes of respiratory diseases

Case Studies

Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit: Improving outcomes for pregnant women with asthma and their babies

Developed in collaboration with global experts, the Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit aims to improve pregnancy outcomes for mothers and babies, strengthen partnerships between health professionals and families, and provide evidence-based resources for managing the most common chronic disease in pregnancy.

500

WOMEN PROVIDED WITH ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PLANS

110,000+

PAGE VIEWS ACROSS 147 COUNTRIES

270+

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TRAINED

How i-REBOUND gave stroke survivors everywhere access to online diet and exercise rehab tools

i-REBOUND is a world first website providing evidence-based diet and exercise resources for stroke survivors, addressing post-hospital support gaps especially in regional areas. Developed with stroke survivors, it features real testimonials and tailored resources to reduce secondary stroke risk.

23,946+

USERS

102

COUNTRIES

175+

RECIPES, EXERCISES, RESOURCES

EMU: the Education, Movement, & Understanding program combines Indigenous games with physical activity and learning

Designed in collaboration with Aboriginal community leaders, EMU aims to improve children’s health and literacy levels, strengthen partnerships between schools and local Indigenous communities, and provide a professional learning option for teachers specific to Indigenous education.

10

SCHOOLS ENROLLED

20+

ACCREDITED TEACHERS

500+

STAGE 3 STUDENTS

World-first stroke recovery program builds more than just skills

For people living with stroke, the opportunity to exercise, socialise, dance and make art not only helps rebuild speech, motor skills and fitness — it’s also a fun way to boost connections and confidence in a supported setting. The ESTEEM program is doing just that.

70+

STROKE SURVIVORS HAVE PARTICIPATED

10

WEEK PROGRAM

2

LOCATIONS ACROSS REGIONAL NSW

Bringing the best diabetes care to people in the bush

Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+) is a proven diabetes care model helping improve the prevention, detection, treatment, and self-management of diabetes in rural and regional communities.

4000+

PATIENTS HELPED

800+

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE ROLLING OUT DAP+

96

PATIENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IDENTIFY AS INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

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Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered: Empowering girls to be active and empowered

Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered is a world-first, evidence-based program that brings together fathers/father-figures & their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills, and boost wellbeing.

6200+

PARTICIPATING DADS AND DAUGHTERS

380

EDUCATORS TRAINED

30

GOVERNMENT AND SPORTING PARTNERSHIPS

Read More

School exercise program boosts adolescent fitness and health

Burn 2 Learn is a world first school-based physical activity HIIT program, improving fitness, wellbeing and enhancing academic achievement of high school students.

18,000+

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

325

TEACHERS TRAINED

218

SCHOOLS

Read More

Optimising post-surgery care to prevent clots

The IMPOSTERS trial is revolutionising post-surgery care and patient comfort. Additionally, the clinical trial is also identifing cost-savings opportunities that will improve environmental sustainability by minimising single-use devices.

550+

patients participated in the trial

3

participating hospitals

$850K

awarded to support the research project

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View all case studies

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