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Global action for heart health: Hypertension in focus
Dear John,
Every minute, high blood pressure quietly steals futures. Often symptomless, hypertension affects 1.4 billion people globally, many don’t know they have it. It remains the world’s leading cause of premature death and disability, claiming over 10 million lives each year. Yet this is a solvable problem – and with your support, we’re accelerating solutions that work in the real world.
In this edition of George Connect, you’ll see how a simple switch – less sodium, more potassium – can help prevent strokes and heart attacks at a population level. Our status as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction has been redesignated, and we will be launching a new research hub to reform the global salt supply, so healthier choices become the easier choices. Our Executive Director (Australia) Professor Bruce Neal recently shared these insights in The New York Times, highlighting how potassium-enriched salt can significantly reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of strokes and premature death – a simple, powerful intervention for global health.
We’re also proud that the National Hypertension Taskforce has endorsed potassium-enriched salt in Australia’s hypertension guidelines, recognising it as a practical, cost-effective strategy to improve blood pressure control and save lives. This landmark recommendation reflects growing momentum for population-level solutions.
You’ll also find two surprising insights:
- Pictures matter: Inaccurate stock photos of blood pressure checks can mislead the public and clinicians, undermine good care, and highlight that good communication can be a health intervention too.
- Precision saves lives: A new online tool based on 500 trials helps clinicians choose the best treatment, so more people reach safe blood pressure targets, faster.
On a sombre note, we were deeply saddened by the passing of David Armstrong AM, immediate past Chair of The George Institute Board. David was a wise and generous leader whose strategic clarity, compassion, and unwavering belief in our mission helped shape the Institute’s growth and impact. We honour his legacy with profound gratitude and a continued commitment to the work he championed.
Thank you for standing with us and being part of our global community. We hope this issue leaves you inspired by what we’re achieving together.
FEATURE FOCUS
New research centre targets global salt supply reform
The George Institute will launch a Centre of Research Excellence to reform the global salt supply and prevent millions of strokes, heart attacks and cases of high blood pressure. Backed by $3M in funding, the centre will drive evidence-based solutions and partner with industry and policymakers to scale up the use of potassium-enriched salt for better heart health worldwide.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
National peak body backs simple salt switch to fight hypertension
Australia’s National Hypertension Taskforce has officially endorsed the use of potassium-enriched salt in national hypertension guidelines, calling it a simple and low-cost tool to improve blood pressure control. This recommendation aligns with global best practice and could significantly reduce cardiovascular deaths.
New online tool could revolutionise how high blood pressure is treated
A new calculator from The George Institute helps doctors tailor treatment using data from 500 trials – offering a more precise, effective way to lower blood pressure faster and reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.
What’s wrong with this picture? The hidden risk in blood pressure stock photos
New research shows widespread use of inaccurate stock images of blood pressure checks that may mislead the public and hinder effective care. Correct visuals are vital to support accurate self-monitoring and improve global hypertension outcomes.
WHO recognition for salt reduction leadership
The George Institute has been redesignated as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction, continuing its vital work to reduce salt intake worldwide and prevent diet-related diseases under the leadership of Dr Kathy Trieu.
Recognising global leadership in hypertension: Alta Schutte elected AAHMS Fellow
Professor Alta Schutte has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS), recognising her global leadership in hypertension research and cardiovascular health policy. This prestigious honour celebrates her outstanding contributions to science, advocacy, and improving heart health outcomes in Australia and around the world.
WHO Recognises Triple Pill for Hypertension
The George Institute successfully advocated for the inclusion of a triple fixed-dose combination antihypertensive medicine on the WHO’s Essential Medicines List – a major step toward improving access to affordable, effective hypertension care globally, particularly in low-resource settings.
Better blood pressure care, lower costs
New research from The George Institute shows starting hypertension treatment with single-pill combinations improves outcomes and cuts costs – highlighting the urgent need to update Australia’s PBS rules to align with global best practice.
OUR PEOPLE
LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Professor David Peiris is Chief Scientist at The George Institute and a Professor at UNSW Sydney. A global leader in health systems science, David is passionate about strengthening primary health care and improving access to affordable, high-quality services worldwide. An important focus of his research is cardiovascular disease and hypertension, driving innovative strategies, policy reforms, and implementation approaches that transform care delivery for communities across the globe. |
RESEARCHER SPOTLIGHT Professor Simone Pettigrew is Head of Food Policy at The George Institute in Australia, and a leading expert in behavioural psychology, health promotion, and consumer research. With over 400 peer-reviewed publications, her work spans nutrition, obesity, alcohol, and healthy ageing. Simone’s research informs public policy and empowers healthier choices, driving impact through evidence-based interventions and collaboration with government and NGOs. |
STAFF AWARDS
Four George Institute researchers have been awarded prestigious Heart Foundation grants for innovative projects tackling cardiovascular disease – Australia’s leading cause of death:
- Assoc. Prof. Alexandra Jones – Harnessing the power of law to create a healthier food environment through mandatory Health Star Ratings and legal limits on salt and sugar.
- Dr Angela Xun-Nan Chen – Testing whether SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of diabetes drugs, can prevent heart failure in high-risk individuals.
- Shaun Khanna (Doctoral Researcher) – Investigating how heart fat (epicardial adipose tissue) predicts recovery and treatment response in heart failure patients.
- Assoc. Prof. Cheryl Carcel – Validating a portable blood test to rapidly detect brain bleeding in the ambulance, enabling faster targeted intervention.
These projects aim to transform prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease across Australia.
WORLD HYPERTENSION LEAGUE Congratulations to Dr Kathy Trieu, winner of the 2025 Graham MacGregor Excellence Award from the World Hypertension League. Her outstanding contribution to global salt reduction strategies is helping shape healthier food environments and prevent chronic disease. Kathy’s work continues to influence policy and improve lives, especially in communities most affected by hypertension and poor nutrition. |
EMERGING THOUGHT LEADERS Congratulations to Dr Jeff Ha and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Renal Service on receiving the Kidney Health Australia Clinical Science Award at the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Congress 2025. Jeff, a UNSW Adjunct Senior Lecturer, postdoctoral fellow at The George Institute, and member of the Institute’s 2025 Emerging Thought Leaders cohort, is shaping global kidney care guidelines to improve chronic disease outcomes. |
GLOBAL FORUM HIGHLIGHTS
Advancing the global dialogue on food is medicine – Bellagio, Italy
In September, Professor Jason Wu (Program Head, Nutrition Science) joined global leaders at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Centre in Italy for the “Advancing the Global Dialogue on Food is Medicine” forum, sharing insights from our work and shaping a global research agenda for healthier, equitable food systems
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
AI scans mammograms to accurately predict risk of heart disease
Associate Professor Clare Arnott recently featured on ABC Radio National Hour, discussing groundbreaking research using AI to analyse routine mammograms to predict cardiovascular risk. This innovative approach could transform early detection and prevention of heart disease, offering a powerful ‘two for one’ opportunity to improve outcomes for women globally.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Since 2022, our partnership with The Ian Potter Foundation has been transforming lives through healthier food systems. Their support powers programs such as Potassium-enriched salt and Food is Medicine, tackling cardiovascular disease and food insecurity, and advancing equitable solutions that improve health outcomes for communities across Australia and beyond.
Join us to change lives and improve the health of Australians
Join Us is a free, national research register connecting Australians aged 18+ with relevant health studies. Founded by The George Institute and UNSW Sydney, it empowers individuals to contribute to medical research, access new treatments, and improve health outcomes. Registration is simple, secure, and participant-driven.
Sign up to be matched with research studies relevant to you – and take an active role in shaping the future of healthcare.
STAY CONNECTED ✉️
Your continued support helps drive meaningful change in communities around the world. By keeping your contact details up to date, we can share the latest on our research, real-world outcomes, and opportunities to make a lasting difference together.
Tell us what topics inspire you, and we’ll shape future George Connect editions around them.
The George Institute acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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