EIT Public Lecture: Assoc Prof Anita Jagroop-Dearing

EIT’s Associate Professor Dr Anita Jagroop-Dearing (FRSPH PhD) will share insights from her diverse research journey focusing on topics around Public Health.

Formerly a health scientist at University College London Hospital, UK, Anita builds on her investigations on heart health, diabetes and vascular disease, now applying her expertise here in New Zealand. She will present her research on a holistic approach of evaluating attitudes and knowledge of cardiovascular disease among tertiary education populations. In staying with this population, she also examines the stresses and wellbeing of international postgraduate health and nursing students who were mainly essential frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. She will then highlight some findings on the Havelock North Campylobacter Outbreak (HNCO). This was the largest ever recorded campylobacteriosis outbreak where consumption of untreated water resulted in up to 8320 illnesses. Additionally, Anita will address the pressing issue of youth vaping in Aotearoa, where schools report an increase in student absenteeism, lack of concentration in classes and stand downs. Anita will discuss preliminary findings from her recent research programme aimed at tackling the epidemic of vaping among intermediate and high school students across Hawkes Bay.