PHSRC remains WHOCC until 2020

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the redesignation of Deakin’s Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention.

WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCC) are institutions such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies designated by WHO’s Director-General to conduct activities supporting WHO’s programs.

There are currently over 700 Collaborating Centres around the world working with WHO on areas such as nursing, occupational health, communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases and health technologies. 

WHOCCs also take part in strengthening the information, services, research and training resources of their home country to support national health development.

The redesignation of the Population Health Strategic SRC as a WHOCC is effective until 2020.

“This extends the life of the WHOCC to 17 years – by far the longest of any CC dealing with obesity, nutrition or attendant risks,” said Co-Director Professor Steven Allender.

“It is due in large part to the significant effort and leadership of Associate Professor Colin Bell with support from Professor Marj Moodie and others.”

The centre‘s first activity with WHO in the new redesignation period is supporting countries with regulating the sale and marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages (FNABs) in and around schools.