SOUTHERN Health nephrologist Nigel Toussaint was given a helping hand in the fight against heart disease when he was awarded a fellowship earlier this month.
Dr Toussaint received a 2009 National Institute of Clinical Studies fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Based at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, he will use the fellowship on a two-year project to increase awareness of bone and mineral disorders in kidney disease patients.
Dr Toussaint said heart disease was a predominant cause of death among people with kidney disease.
"Kidney disease is a common problem in Australia, with one in seven adult Australians having this disorder, and one in three potentially at risk.
"With an ageing population and the increasing problem of diabetes and obesity, the burden of kidney disease will likely get worse."
Email a friend