Goal 3: Good health & well-being

At Victoria University, we are deeply dedicated to improving health through teaching, research, clinics and support services.

Our research programs approach the complex issues of human health from many angles, including disease treatment, policy improvement, and exercise as prevention. 

Our Institute for Health and Sport supports extraordinary biomedical research, such as the work of Vasso Apostolopoulos, who developed the concept of immunotherapy for cancer.

The pandemic and other ongoing crises are hindering progress in achieving SDG3, exacerbating existing health inequalities and threatening progress towards universal health coverage.
– United Nations

Research addressing Goal 3

Victoria University Public Health Network
The VUPHN was established as a forum for public-health experts from a variety of fields and disciplines. Members of the network raise issues, strategise and strengthen collaborative research, teaching
Australia's Health Tracker
Australia’s Health Tracker series of reports are the work of a collaboration between health organisations and chronic disease experts led by Professor Rosemary Calder.
Institute for Health & Sport
The Institute has a wide scope, encompassing institutional research in exercise science, active living, chronic disease, biomedical sciences, technology, nursing, community health, psychology, public
Western Centre for Health Research & Education
The Western Centre for Health Research and Education (Western CHRE) is an innovative and sustainable teaching, training and research precinct in Western Melbourne.
Investing in health & human capital
Part of the Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies, this program develops and applies methods for assessing the economic and social benefits of large-scale programs of health interventions.
Mechanisms & Interventions in Health & Disease
This program has more than 100 staff and students researching Cancer, Autoimmunity, Immunology; Cardio-metabolic & Muscle Disorders; and Muscle, Exercise & Movement.

Programs addressing Goal 3

Sons of the West participants
Sons & Daughters of the West
This 10-week initiative helps people to address health and well-being issues, and prevent disease. VU is a key partner in the program, which is hosted by the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.
Disability & accessibility services
We help to minimise the impacts of disabilities and health conditions to enable everyone to participate in university life.
Free & discounted health clinics
Our clinics provide services to improve the health of students, staff and members of the public. They provide supervised work experience for our osteopathy, exercise science and psychology students.
A person holding a basketball in their left hand, looking up and positioning themselves to shoot. A person stands to their right, looking in the same direction.
Partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
Our alliance with Aspect, Australia’s largest provider of autism-specific services, is their first partnership with a university on its campus.
Elle Steele posing in a laneway
All Abilities program
As part of Victorian Government’s $1.5 million Access for All Abilities program, VU and Disability Sport and Recreation will deliver a Community of Practice project.
Young woman in casual clothing, wears a microphone headset at an office desk with Lifelife poster
Partnership with Lifeline
VU and Lifeline Western Melbourne have a five-year agreement aimed at boosting help for Victorians requiring crisis support and suicide prevention services.

VU stories

Recognition for research
Biomedicine lecturer, researcher
"I'm grateful that I can both teach and do research at VU. My students inspire me with their stories and give me a reason to get out of bed every morning. "
I'm grateful that I can both teach and do research at VU. My students inspire me with their stories and give me a reason to get out of bed every morning.
Recognition for research
Natasha Jones
Goal: clinical psychologist
Bachelor of Psychological Studies
"I’d definitely recommend VU and my course. It's a lot more student-oriented than other universities."
I’d definitely recommend VU and my course. It's a lot more student-oriented than other universities.
Natasha's story
Rising star in cardiovascular research
Cardiovascular and nutritional research
"My supervisors and VU staff supported and encouraged me to pursue postgraduate studies and research."
My supervisors and VU staff supported and encouraged me to pursue postgraduate studies and research.
Lauren's story