Members of the University of Otago (Christchurch) Canterbury Health and Ageing Life Course (Chalice) study research team, in front of Christchurch’s Chalice. University of Otago researchers raised concerns about the future of New Zealand’s elderly population in a New Zealand Medical Journal article more than a decade ago. These would allow clinicians to step in earlier with treatments or lifestyle advice which could slow deterioration and reduce disease burden. Cardioendocrinology senior research fellow Dr Tim Prickett has been particularly interested in monitoring changes in the heart health of Chalice participants. "The result is a rising risk of age-related conditions, from heart disease to blood cancers such as myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia."

Source: Otago Daily Times December 29, 2025 16:05 UTC