Health of elderly at heart of new Bond research space

RESEARCH to prevent chronic diseases affecting a majority of our ageing population will at the core of a new Bond University health building opened yesterday.

The extension of the Health Sciences and Medicine (HSM) building was unveiled at the Varsity Lakes campus.

More than 1000 students and staff are expected to use the new 5000sq m facility each day. It has eight tutorial rooms, two large teaching areas and extra learning spaces.

Abdul Rahman Mohammed (pictured), the president of the Health Sciences and Medicine Student Association, said he would spend about 25 hours a week inside the building.

“I’m fortunate to be leading about 1400 health students,” he said.

“Disease and preventive health will be much more prevalent to me and my peers as we transition into our careers and into our future.”

Emeritus Professor Peter Andrews said the average lifespan of Australians had extended by 20 years and the building would be of great use for preventive health research.

“Eighty per cent of the people living through those extra 20 years are suffering from chronic diseases,” he said.