Pacific Health Research Symposium 2022

The symposium highlighted some excellent examples of Pacific health research occurring at the University of Auckland and beyond. Guest speakers for the day were the Honorable Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Former Director General of Health and Debbie Sorenson the CEO of the Pasifika Medical Association.

This year’s symposium gave people the opportunity to connect and learn from a variety of health leaders, researchers and professionals. The aim of the symposium was to give Pacific peoples a chance to consider research as a viable career option. One of the main issues with Pacific communities and health is that while they are one of the most researched communities in Aotearoa, there has been no real marked benefit or improvement in healthcare or health outcomes over recent years.

This has led to a call for more Pacific people conducting research on Pacific communities. The symposium also highlighted the need for Co-Design within research. Co-designing involves researchers and communities working together to decide what research is needed, how it is undertaken, what outcomes communities would like to see and who gets to share in the research. It is taking the whole community along for the research journey.

The research presented at the symposium was far ranging from child health research, diabetes, health equity, MVPFAFF+ health, breast cancer and included presentations from Auckland Regional Public Health, The Heart Foundation, Moana Connect, Pasifika Medical Association and The Fono.

The symposium was well attended by students, researchers and health leaders from across Aotearoa.