An investment in HMRI is an investment in the health of current and future generations all over the world...

Significant achievements

The quality of HMRI research is continually recognised nationally and internationally and is benefiting the health of the community. Recent HMRI research has shown:

• that a diet low in antioxidants can worsen a person’s asthma.

• it is safe for women to continue to take their prescribed asthma medication during pregnancy. This research has changed the health advice that women receive during pregnancy.

• that clot-dissolving medications being trialed at John Hunter Hospital immediately after stroke can reduce patients’ level of disability and may lead to a quicker recovery.

• that a hormone therapy given to men with localised but inoperable prostate cancer a few months before radiotherapy can help stop their cancer returning after treatment.

• that treating substance use problems and mental illness simultaneously can lead to significant improvements in mental health and substance use outcomes.

• speech pathology treatment could be a successful and cost effective way of treating chronic cough where traditional medical treatment has failed.