SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing

• CQuniversity's 10,00 Steps program - led by Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, and Health and Wellbeing Queensland have joined forces encouraging Queenslanders to take on '10000 Steps Challenge' to boost physical activity.
• Regional Medical Pathway - CQuniversity has partnered with The University of Queensland, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services to address the difficulties in attracting and retaining doctors in regional, remote and rural areas.
• Hands On Health Australia (HoHa) - CQUniversity partnered with Hands On Health Australia (HoHA) to provide chiropractic care to members of the local community who were in need of chiropractic care and were unable to afford it previously. This partnership started in 2019 and continued throughout 2021.
• Mackay Hospital and Health Services (MHHS) - CQUniversity entered into a partnership wth MHHS to enhance the leadership and clinical capabilities of their clinical and non-clinical staff by delivering a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management. Thi partnership commences in 2019 and concluded in 2021.
• CQUniversity partnership with  Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services to create a Regional Medical Pathway.

10 0000 STEPS

10 000 Steps is a physical activity initiative lead by CQUniversity funded by the Australian Government. 10 000 Steps sees collaborations occur at the national level with workplaces and the general community to promote walking and improved individual health and well being.  Community grants are available to organisations to implement the 10 000 Steps program.  Government funding has also been invested to upgrade facilities at national parks, like walking trails, to protect the environment and encourage physical activity.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)

CQUniversity and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland section) signed an agreement in 2018 to collaborate on research opportunities for sustainable healthcare and the RFDS provide placement opportunities for students. This agreement is still current and in force.

National Heart Foundation of Australia

CQUniversity is a member of the Queensland Cardiovascular Research Network (QCRN) that connects the cardiovascular research community in Queensland and our researchers participate in research projects funded by the National Heart Foundation.

DR Stephanie Schoeppe leads a research project titled  “Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time in children using smartphone apps”. This research project is a collaborative effort with the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

CQUniversity researchers participate in research projects funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation with Professor Nerilee Hing leading a study into how COVID-19 impacted gambling habits across Victoria that will ultimately aim to reduce and prevent gambling harm.

Queensland Health

CQUniversity partnered with Queensland Health and University of Queensland Rural Clinical School to create a Regional Medical Pathway.

Pokhara Fishtail Hospital, Nepal

CQUniversity and the Pokhara Fishtail Hospital have an established relationship with the Nepalese Hospital hosts CQUniversity students on clinical placements and CQUniversity supporting local health initiatives. This is an ongoing collaboration that has been in place for over a decade.

Salaam Baalak Trust, India

CQUniversity is a partner with the Salaam Baalak Trust and supports its WALK project. CQUniversity health students visit Salaam Baalak and participate in local health projects.

CQUniversity Student Health Clinics

• Our Student Health Clinics operate in Rockhampton, Mackay, Sydney and Brisbane. These clinics are a collaboration between health care practitioners and our students to deliver local health services in oral health, speech pathology, physiotherapy, podiatry and chiropractic services.
• A project, funded by the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future, lead by CQUniversity's Melissa Plath, called Tarumbal Smiles involved exploration of a cavity-free future for children at a Central Queensland Kindergarten
• A partnership with Hands on Health Australia (HoHA) and Mackay's student Chiropractic Clinic provided opportunities for clinical chiropractic students to gain experience by providing support and treatment to the elderly and homeless in Mackay. This partnership started in 2019 and continued throughout 2021.

CQUniversity Performing Arts Initiatives

A theatre production involving Bachelor of Theatre and Bachelor of Music students and the Queensland Police Force. This collaboration has received recognition as a successful community engagement health promotion initiative.

• Choices – conveys personal safety messages to high school students about to celebrate leaving school. This project has been running since 1999.
• Safety Circus – conveys road safety and personal safety messages to year 3 school students. This production has been operating since 2012.

Poop It Kit

CQUniversity professor, Kerry Reid-Searl is using humour to teach children about the link between eating well and making healthy poo.

The 'Poop it' kit uses illustrated stories and rewards to educate four to eight-year-olds about what a healthy poo looks like. This project was developed through a partnership between paediatric nurses, academics, and undergraduate students at CQUniversity. The inspiration behind the project comes from the professor's desire to take the embarrassment out of talking about what we flush down the toilet.

Local Outreach Programs

• Hands on Health Australia (HoHA) - A partnership with Hands on Health Australia (HoHA) and Mackay's student Chiropractic Clinic provided opportunities for clinical chiropractic students to gain experience by providing support and treatment to the elderly and homeless in Mackay. This partnership started in 2019 and continued throughout 2021.

• 10,000 Steps Program - CQUniversity leads the 10,000 steps program to improve community health and wellbeing. It is a program that started in Rockhampton and is now a national community-based health initiative.
• Women's National Basketball League - CQUniversity Cairns’ Exercise and Sports Science students have been called on for their expertise to host a ‘recovery hub’ for the Chemist Warehouse Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).
• Tarumbal Smiles - A project, funded by the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future, led by CQUniversity's Melissa Plath, called Tarumbal Smiles involved exploration of a cavity-free future for children at a Central Queensland Kindergarten. Bachelor of Oral Health students provided treatment to the Kindergarten students.

Outreach Programs for Disadvantaged People

• CQUni Physiotherapy and Chiropractic students volunteered their time at 2021 Homeless Connect event to offer advice and free treatment to people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness.
• CQUniversity’s Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology students volunteered at Beach Day Out to provide support and facilitate beach accessibility and activities to children and adults living with disabilities.
• The eighth annual Options Day was held in Bundaberg and is the largest local disability event in the Wide Bay Region showcasing support services, community programs, employment, and education options for people living with a disability. The inclusive event had plenty of hands-on activities and was co-founded by CQUniversity  Accessibility Consultant Elizabeth Hamilton.

Outreach Programs for Refugee/Immigrant Communities

• Pokhara Fishtail Hospital, Nepal - CQUniversity and the Pokhara Fishtail Hospital have an established relationship with the Nepalese Hospital hosts CQUniversity students on clinical placements and CQUniversity supporting local health initiatives. This is an ongoing collaboration that has been in place for over a decade.
• Salaam Baalak Trust, India - CQUniversity is a partner with the Salaam Baalak Trust and supports its WALK project. CQUniversity health students visit Salaam Baalak and participate in local health projects.
• Central Queensland Multicultural Association -  located on Rockhampton North campus,  CQUniversity has supported the work of CQMA for over 3 decades.
• Multiculturalism and Health -  offered through CQUniversity's Centre for Professioanl Development, this short course  introduces the healthcare needs of Australia's newer members of Australia's multicultural landscape.

We are proud to have regular users of our Community Sports Centre, and some of these clients include:

Ovals Activity
Cancer Council - Relay for Life
CQ Athletics
CQ Capras
Emu Park Rugby
Local school use of athletics oval for carnivals
RACQ Community Open Day
Rockhampton Road Runners
Rugbytots CQ

Stadium Courts Activity
CQ Junior Robotics Competition
Frenchville Panthers Basketball
Rockhampton Basketball - CQ Cyclones Team
Rockhampton Netball Association

We also support community organisations with in-kind access and use of the Community Sports Centre.

All CQUniversity employees have access to a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP is a confidential coaching, counselling and wellbeing service for employees and their eligible family members provided by an independent, professional organisation that consists of qualified, experienced professionals who have extensive training and experience in counselling, coaching and workplace consulting. The EAP provides a range of support and resources to assist employees to manage and enhance their work, health and life.

If you are a CQUni employee, find out more via our Staff Portal.

As a CQUniversity student, you have access to a wide range of health and welfare support programs including academic and personal counselling services.

CQU is committed to developing and implementing a mental health strategy that promotes student and staff mental health and wellbeing and provides a positive educational and workplace experience via a healthy, resilient, inclusive, compassionate and connected University community.

MindWaves recognises the importance of a stepped care model to ensure that students and staff receive the support relevant to their needs. The three-tiered model demonstrates how the strategy is relevant for the three population groups.

• INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH: Offering Health Promotion and prevention initiatives for all students and staff.
• TARGETED ASSISTANCE: Offering Early Intervention initiatives for students and staff with identified coping concerns.
• INDIVIDUAL INTERVENTION: Providing treatment, services, and crisis response management for students and staff with mental health concerns.

Throughout 2021 CQUniversity celebrated the work of our staff, student and alumni in promoting good mental health within the community.

• RUOK Day
• End Loneliness Inc.
• Alex raises mental health awareness
• Inside Out Art Exhibition raises mental health awareness
• International Men's Health Week
• My Mental Wellness Consultancy

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service recently ran a pop-up health clinic for staff and students to make appointments for a free and confidential Sexual Health or Cervical Screen.

CQUniversity provides free Sexual Health online courses for students, staff and the community to access.

The modules cover the following:

• Sexual Health in Australia - Sex for Seniors
• Sexual Decision Making - Positive Youth Development
• Sexuality Issues of Women with Disabilities
• Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

In 2018, CQUniversity proudly became a smoke-free campus across our entire footprint. Read more in our Smoking, Alcohol and other Drugs in the Workplace Policy.

CQUniversity is a member of the Queensland Health Ready to Quit Program. This is a free program for all Queensland Staff. Contact the OHS Unit for more information.

In 2018, CQUniversity proudly became a smoke-free campus across our entire footprint. Read more in our Smoking, Alcohol and other Drugs in the Workplace Policy.

First Nations people will face some unique challenges with COVID-19, including risks for infection, availability of preparedness plans, the applicability of quarantine and isolation and risks of severe disease given the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in First Nations people.

To assist with understanding and alleviating those challenges, this week the Paul Ramsay Foundation committed $2 million in grant funding to support the Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies (APPRISE) COVID-19 research.

Queensland primary school teachers making the shift to COVID-19 digital delivery have a new tool at hand with an online science classroom now available from CQUniversity that’s loaded with activities.

Developed by science lecturer Leanne Voss in conjunction with Darryl Clare, Senior Project Officer Digital Learning, the Science for Primary School Students tool features learning activities grouped into five different fields: biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, physical sciences, and games and quizzes.

CQUniversity has partnered with human performance company WHOOP and will collaborate with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio to investigate a potential connection between changes in respiratory rate and COVID-19 symptoms.

The University plans to conduct a study using 24/7 physiological data, collected via the wrist-worn WHOOP Strap 3.0, from hundreds of self-identified COVID-19 cases among WHOOP members, to better understand the current health crisis.