Opportunity to undertake a fully-funded PhD

Female-specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Aotearoa New Zealand

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a fully-funded PhD, to develop skills in health data analysis, and to contribute to more equitable health outcomes for women.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary killer of women in New Zealand (NZ), and the immense burden of CVD on women and their whānau is often underestimated. Underrepresentation of women in clinical trials has resulted in guidelines for CVD prevention, diagnosis, and medical treatment that underperform for women. The evidence is clear that women have different cardiovascular risk factors that manifest across the life-course, and differing symptoms and outcomes of CVD, but this is often not recognised by patients and providers. Female-specific risk factors for CVD can include pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension or diabetes, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and early menopause yet these remain unrecognised in established CVD risk screening. Find out more here.