The Equigenesis
Research Study
How do Green Spaces reduce Inequalities in Heart Disease risk?
The Equigenesis Research Study
We are conducting a research study about whether access to parks and green spaces in cities may help reduce health inequalities. While studies suggest this link, the evidence is not yet strong. Our project aims to understand how green spaces might reduce inequalities in heart disease risk.
We are seeking people with high blood pressure who meet the following criteria:
Current diagnosis of hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and recent clinic systolic BP ≥130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg
Willing to wear a wrist-based device that measures your blood pressure (Aktiia bracelet), a wrist accelerometer (like a watch) to measure your physical activity, an air pollution monitor and use a GPS tracker for up to 10 consecutive days
Have access to a smartphone and the internet and feel comfortable to use it to download an App for use with the blood-pressure device and air pollution monitor
No plan to change medications
Must live in Sydney, NSW
What will the study involve for me?
We will ask you to complete an online Screening Survey to check your eligibility to participate in the study.
If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to wear or carry a wrist-based blood pressure device, physical activity accelerometer, air pollution monitor and GPS tracker for 10 consecutive days.
Are there any benefits?
You will receive a $100 shopping gift voucher as thanks for participating. You will be required to complete the study, study tasks and return the devices at the end of the study period in order to be eligible to receive the gift voucher.
This study has benefits to the broader community and will advance the fields of urban green spaces, health inequalities and cardiovascular disease prevention.
To join and check if you are eligible for the study, please click the button below to complete the online screening survey
(the link will take you to an external website)
If you appear to be eligible after passing the Screening Survey, our study staff will be in contact to provide a Participant Information Sheet and arrange your Consent.
Questions or more information?
Please contact the Research Project Officer: equigenesis.study@sydney.edu.au
Taking part in this study is voluntary.
This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney [2024/HE001381]
This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney [2024/HE001381]
Study Investigators
Professor Thomas Astell-Burt
The University of Sydney
Profesor Clara Chow
The University of Sydney
Professor Gemma Figtree
The University of Sydney
Professor Xiaoqi Feng
UNSW School of Population Health
Professor Jakelin Troy
The University of Sydney
Professor Andrew Wilson
The University of Sydney
A/Professor Leigh-Anne Hepburn
The University of Sydney
Dr Bow Yiying Wu
The University of Sydney
Professor Rich Mitchell
The University of Glasgow
Study Staff
Nicole Evangelidis
Research Project Officer
The University of Sydney
Dr Lauren Del Rosario
The University of Sydney