A vital gift for hearts and minds

There are few issues that are as fundamental to our survival as the quality of the air we breathe, or the ability of our body to receive oxygen and nutrients, and remove waste.

A generous donation from the Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Conference will fast-track investigations into two related challenges to these needs: air pollution and cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Nicolas Borchers-Arriagada was recently appointed the inaugural Sohn Hearts & Minds Research Fellow in the Environmental Health Research group at Menzies.

Led by public health physician and environmental epidemiologist Professor Fay Johnston, the team investigates bushfires, climate change, air quality, the health impacts of wood smoke and other airborne hazards.

Dr Borchers-Arriagada has lived in two of the most heavily polluted cities in the Americas, Santiago and Mexico City, and knows all too well the impact of air pollution on people’s health.

With a background in engineering and environmental sciences, he uses economic assessments and health impact modelling to evaluate the impact of smoke.

Dr Borchers-Arriagada moved to Tasmania from Chile in 2018 after hearing about the exciting ecosystem of researchers conducting globally significant work from Tasmania for the world. Not long after he arrived in Hobart, dry lightning strikes ignited bushfires and heavy smoke blanketed the south of the island for weeks. It was a crucial time for researchers to study the environmental and health impacts of the fires.

“Understanding the way we can reduce the impact of smoke is going to become increasingly important with climate change because we know there will be more conditions conducive to fires, which means more smoke,” Dr Borchers-Arriagada said.

“I am developing a model for fire managers to better predict smoke from planned burns and I’m also looking at the likely impact of climate change with a focus on informing decision-making.”

Thanks to the support of donors, Dr Borchers-Arriagada will continue this important work.

Last year Tasmania also hosted the Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Conference, which harnesses the collective power of private and corporate philanthropy to fund medical research.

It left a lasting legacy on the island with a $1 million donation to Menzies.

Hearts & Minds Investments CEO Paul Rayson said its growing national footprint ensured all Australians benefit from life-saving research no matter where they live.

“When the conference was held in Hobart it was an excellent opportunity to invest in a Tasmanian-based institute,” Mr Rayson said.

“Menzies was selected for its strong track record of globally significant research.”

Professor Johnston, who addressed the conference and has made significant global contributions to our understanding of the health impacts of bushfire smoke, said, “Globally, air pollution is the single most important environmental cause of cardiovascular illness and death.

“The generous philanthropic donations are enabling us to train the next generation of researchers in the crucial – and increasingly important – area of environmental determinants of health and illness.”

A second fellowship focused on improving the cardiovascular health of Tasmanians will be announced shortly.

It coincides with the launch of the Menzies new Cardiovascular Research Flagship, which conducts research into diseases of the heart, brain and vascular system.

The Director of Menzies, Professor Tracey Dickson, said that more than 30,000 Tasmanians were living with the ongoing effects of heart disease or stroke.

“Tasmania has the highest rate of heart disease in Australia and this flagship will work with the community to raise awareness and treatment for risk factors and promote better cardiovascular health in our community,” Professor Dickson said.

“We are grateful to our donors, partners and collaborators who support our medical research, which aims to ensure Tasmanians can live healthier, longer and better lives.”