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Latest Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report
Monash Progress Report 2022
Monash Progress Report 2022 – Goal 3

Monash Progress Report 2022 – Goal 3

Monash University Progress Report 2022 on the Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Research

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2022 Publications Performance View

Number of Monash Research Outputs: 3152

Mean Field Weighted Citation Impact of Monash Outputs: 2.24

3 Year Rolling Mean FWCI of Monash Outputs: 2.43

The Inhaled Oxytocin Project View

Every year over 300,000 women die during pregnancy or childbirth in low and middle income countries, with the leading cause being postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), or excessive bleeding after birth. Oxytocin is the gold standard therapy for PPH prevention and treatment, but currently exists only as an injection product, requiring refrigeration and skilled healthcare workers for safe administration.

A Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences team led by Professor Michelle McIntosh has developed an innovative, heat stable powder formulation of oxytocin that when inhaled, aims to provide the same protection against PPH as an injection. The Inhaled Oxytocin Project is working with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. and GlaxoSmithKline to help develop the product and bring it to commercialisation.

Other SDGs:

Future Healthcare View

Future Healthcare uses interdisciplinary co-design processes to understand and address the challenges of complex health ecosystems. The project is co-designing new healthcare systems and technologies with partners including the World Health Organisation, Oxfam, Monash Health, Cabrini Health, Alfred Health, Micro X, Health Direct Australia, Victorian Department of Health and Turning Point.

Future Healthcare will deliver technology design and integration, frameworks to support workforces, insights to drive new models and spaces for care, as well as approaches to drive future preparedness, reduce costs and build resilience in health systems.

Other SDGs:

Hazelwood Health Study View

The Hazelwood Health Study is a 10-year, multidisciplinary program led by Monash University researchers from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and the School of Rural Health and partners to investigate health impacts resulting from smoke caused by the 2014 Morwell open-cut coal mine fire. Commissioned by the Victorian Department of Health, the study has investigated the health impacts for people who were exposed to the fire, as well the wellbeing impacts on children, older people and the broader community. The study is being undertaken in collaboration with Federation University, University of Tasmania, University of Adelaide and the University of Newcastle, as well as active participation of the local community.

Other SDGs:

Tobacco Plain Packaging in Australia View

Research undertaken in the Faculty of Law on the relationship between health and international economic law has had a significant impact on how other nations implement tobacco control. In 2022, the World Health Organisation published a report by Professor Andrew Mitchell, Tobacco Plain Packaging in Australia: Implications of the WTO Disputes, that showed the impact of Australia’s lead in implementing new and more effective tobacco-control measures and how its example was being followed by other nations worldwide.

Other SDGs:

Reproductive Biomedicine and Technology Ethics Group View

The Reproductive Biomedicine and Technology Ethics Group, Faculty of Arts, explores the ethical, social and regulatory issues raised by innovations in reproductive technologies and science. The Group focuses on ensuring that the implementation of technologies is guided by principles of equity, diversity and human flourishing. Researchers work with collaborators in multiple disciplines and with industry partners to ensure women, and their partners, have access to technologies that support reproductive decision-making and equitable pathways to achieving reproductive desires.

Other SDGs:

Impact of Environmental Temperature Changes on Health View

A study by climate health researchers in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine showed that significant changes in temperature over a short period may lead to epigenetic changes that could increase the risk of diseases like cancer and schizophrenia. The research, led by Professor Yuming Guo, is the first to assess epigenetic changes caused by short-term temperature fluctuations, which are becoming globally more common because of climate change.

Other SDGs:

Workplace Health and Return to Work View

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine researchers published findings of an international review which showed that people who are off work due to injury or illness are at higher risk of later suicide and intentional self-harm. The review found that the risk of suicide was elevated in people with workers’ compensation claims, on long-term sick leave or receiving disability pensions. The results suggest employers and government should focus on identifying workers at risk and put more effort into suicide prevention and programs to reduce the duration of time off work.

Other SDGs:

Education

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Unit Statistics and Highlights View

In 2022, 976 units directly related to SDG3 were offered across Monash University - the largest number of units relating to any SDG - with a total enrolment of 31,787 individual students.

Graph showing education unit directly related to SDG3

The units highlighted below are a small sample of the units at Monash relating to good health and well-being:

BMS1042: Public health and preventive medicine
PSY2042: Personality and social psychology
NUR1013: Indigenous health for nursing and midwifery practice

Medical Education Research and Quality (MERQ) View

Medical Education Research and Quality (MERQ) in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine provides training to support best quality teaching and assessment in health and medicine. MERQ develops systems to translate pedagogical evidence into practice, creating a learning experience underpinned by quality, innovation and creativity.

Throughout 2022 MERQ ran workshops and seminars relating to medical and health education research, as well as professional development opportunities. The annual Teaching Challenges and Innovation Symposium brought together educators and leaders across MNHS in an interactive, day-long event on the theme ‘Public Health Impact’.

Other SDGs:

Sustainable Healthcare in Practice View

Sustainable Healthcare in Practice is a first of its kind short course delivered by Monash Sustainable Development Institute to help health professionals understand how their sector contributes to current environmental and climate challenges and essential elements of sustainable practice. Developed for existing health professionals, health educators and aspiring graduate students in the Master of Public Health and other masters in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the course is designed with a commercial focus to help those enrolled develop, implement and interrogate their organisation’s approaches for incorporating climate change into strategy.

Other SDGs:

Engagement

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World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2024 View

In November 2022, the World Health Summit’s M8 Alliance announced that Monash University, with support from the Victorian Government, Tourism Australia and the Melbourne Convention Bureau would host the 2024 World Health Summit Regional Meeting in Melbourne.

The 2024 World Health Summit Regional Meeting’s theme is “Informed Prevention, Informed Care” with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. The proposed program will draw on key topics affecting global health outcomes that are defined as global challenges in the University’s Impact 2030 strategic plan: fostering thriving communities, geopolitical security and climate change.

Other SDGs:

World Mosquito Program View

The World Mosquito Program (WMP) is a not-for-profit group of companies owned by Monash University that works to protect the global community from mosquito-borne diseases. The program uses naturally occurring bacteria called wolbachia to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya.

As of June 2022, the WMP had projects operating in 12 countries across Oceania, Asia, Europe, and the Americas (offices established in Australia, Vietnam, France and Panama) and our Wolbachia mosquitoes have reached more than 10 million people.

World Mosquito Program

Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies View

The Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (M3CS) integrates interdisciplinary consciousness research, community engagement and contemplative education to promote interfaith and secular dialogue. In 2022, the Centre initiated professional education units to make mindful practice education available outside the Monash, including government and international organisations. It also undertakes groundbreaking research to underpin the science of mindfulness.

M3CS

Healthcare Workforce and System Sustainability View

Healthcare generates some of the highest carbon emissions in the world, with Australia’s healthcare sector being responsible for 7% of the country’s total carbon footprint. Monash researchers from School of Nursing and Midwifery and Monash Sustainable Development Institute developed an education program to help embed Indigenous knowledges and voices to teach the next generation of healthcare workers more about sustainable healthcare as a means of addressing the climate impact of the sector.

Other SDGs:

Pacific Indicators for Disability Inclusive Education (Pacific INDIE) project View

The Pacific INDIE project is a collaboration between Monash University, Pacific Disability Forum, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Nossal Institute for Global Health and CBM to develop indicators for disability-inclusive education in the Pacific and guidelines for their implementation. The project is helping to embed indicators within education ministries, schools, teacher training colleges, NGOs and disabled persons’ organisations, as well as build data analysis skills within these organisations. With the initial phase of Pacific INDIE completed, the project is now moving onto another stage.

Other SDGs:

Healthy Eating Active Living Matters (HEALing Matters) Alliance View

The Healthy Eating, Active Living Matters (HEALing Matters) Alliance is an international network of academics, practitioners, and policymakers established to improve health equity

for children and their families. The program, which is co-designed by researchers at Monash University, young people with lived experience and other key stakeholders, provides young people living in care with information and practical resources to help them make positive choices and behaviour changes in relation to their health and wellbeing.

Other SDGs:

Better Biking Infrastructure, More Sustainable Cities View

Cycling is a male dominated activity in Australia, where twice as many men ride bikes than women. The Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research Group in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences has been exploring opportunities to increase the proportion of women who cycle. Their research found that increasing women’s engagement in decisions about new bike infrastructure, including protected bike lanes, and financial incentives to expand the use of e-bikes are key to getting more women on the road.

Bicycle image Sustainable Mobility and Safety news

Other SDGs:

Operations

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University Health Services View

University Health Services (UHS) provided a comprehensive health promotion and information campaign throughout 2022 to promote health and wellbeing services. Face-to-face and telehealth appointments increased as the Monash community returned to campus.

Placement program opportunities increased for students in medical, nursing and dietetics fields. A strategic framework was also developed to strengthen leadership and build deeper connections to Monash’s internal and external communities.

Counselling and Mental Health Programs View

More than 20,000 appointments for counselling services were made in 2022. Counselling and mental health programs were provided at all Australian campuses, Monash Law Chambers and through Monash University Malaysia’s internal counselling service. A counsellor was placed in Monash Prato in 2022 to support the Monash Abroad program. Telehealth appointments were provided to students offshore.

In 2022, 835 students and staff received training in Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health First Aid Refresher, Understanding Mental Health and SafeTALK suicide prevention programs.

Campus Wellbeing Programs View

Monash delivered a comprehensive wellbeing program in 2022 utilising the five pillars of our Health and Wellbeing Strategic Action Plan – mind, body, nutrition, place and financial health – to support students and staff. More than 6000 participants took part in wellbeing programs over the year.

Major programs included:

Financial health programs (2753 participants)
Women’s and men’s health week events (601 participants)
Mindfulness activities including Mindful May (701 participants)
Health checks (1226 participants) and our 10,000 Steps Challenge (1041 participants)
A successful Thrive@Monash month event in September
Planetary health and nutrition program (1111 participants).

Monash Sport View

Monash Sport programs, services, events and facilities played a core role in activating Caulfield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses, with 790,000 visits in 2022. Supporting wellness goals and developing community connections for participants were key priorities. Fitness memberships increased significantly, with more than 4000 active members across the three sites and more than 2500 students participating in Social Sport competitions per semester.

Monash Sports Fitness Class