Media mentions
On this page you will find media news reports of NISAN's projects during the last 2 years. For older items please refer to our archived media page.
Interview with Valery Feigin: The world's number one expert points out the reason why young Vietnamese people have a stroke.
On 10 April 2025, Valery was interviewed by Knowledge - Znews (Vietnam). He analysed the increasingly youthful stroke situation in Vietnam and, at the same time, offered specific solutions to halve the number of cases in the future. The entire article can be viewed here.
A recent paper authored by Valery Feigin and the GBD 2021 Epilepsy Collaborators has shown that in 2021 there were 51.7 million people with epilepsy around the world. The article entitled "Global, regional and national burden of stroke and its risk factors 1990-2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021", published in The Lancet Public Health, has been covered by media such as:
- The Lancet Public Health podcast "In conversation with Valery Feigin on the global burden of epilepsy"
- The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Q&A: Epilepsy
Valery Feigin and Bala Nair recently visited Vietnam. As well as attending the VinFuture Science Week, they also visited the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. Their visit was covered by several media outlets, including the following:
- Health & Life newspaper: "Deputy Minister of Health and the world's leading professor discuss solutions to prevent stroke in Vietnam"
- VN Express: “The 'father' of stroke prevention comes to Vietnam”
- Tien Phong: “The world's leading expert explains the cause and increase in stroke in young people in Vietnam”
- Bao Tin Tuc: “VinFuture scientist reveals breakthrough treatment solution for blood pressure patients”
A recent paper authored by Valery Feigin and the GBD 2021 Stroke Risk Factors Collaborators has garnered a lot of media attention. The article is entitled: Global, regional and national burden of stroke and its risk factors 1990-2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021". Published in The Lancet Neurology, 23(10), 973-1003, the paper has attracted attention from global media, such as:
- IHME (Washington)
- IHME (Washington)
- The National News (Abu Dhabi)
- CBS New Radio (New York)
- National Geographic (New York) | PDF Copy
- tctMD (New York) | tctMD Quick Takes (Video)
- The Conversation (New Zealand)
- Radio 3AW (Melbourne)
- Indian Express (India)
- Indian Express (India)
Balakrishnan Nair and Michael Kravchenko presented a talk on stroke awareness to 153 members of the Chinese Community at the Sunnynook Community Centre, July 2024.
Rita Krishnamurthi (centre) at the Radio New Zealand studio, 22 March 2024. The investigator team was being interviewed about a new HRC-funded dementia research project: Impact of Dementia Mate Wareware and Solutions for Equity in Aotearoa (IDEA).
On 3 March 2024, Rita Krishnamurthi held a consultation meeting “Adapting Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Indians and Chinese in New Zealand” at the Onehunga Community Centre.
Selection of media appearances
Below you will find a small selection of media appearances, selected from >30,000 social media mentions of Prof. Feigin and from >10,000 social mentions of Prof. Krishnamurthi (as of October 2023).
World Stroke Organization– Lancet Neurology Commission
Valery Feigin is a co-chair of a WSO Lancet Neurology Commission on global stroke. The report was launched at the World Stroke Congress in Toronto, Canada on 11 October 2023 and has received significant media attention. This includes coverage in more than 350 international news outlets, including top-tier coverage in:
- The Telegraph (UK)
- El Pais
- ABC Spain
- STAT News (included in STAT’s Morning Rounds email newsletter)
- Axios
- CNBC
- CNN
- Indian Express
There was good engagement with the Commission on LinkedIn (this post has an engagement rate of over 5%) and X/Twitter.
Reception of Prime Minister's Science Prize
- Prime Minister's Science Prize (Aging Well - 2023)
- Prime Minister’s Science Prize: Fathers’ untimely death catalyst for ground-breaking stroke research (NZ Herald - 2023)
- Stroke risk 'quite significant' in younger people - prize-winning scientist (RNZ - 2023)
- NISAN wins first Prime Minister's Science Prize for AUT for advancing global stroke epidemiology and prevention (TUIA - AUT Intranet)
- Stroke Burden in NZ and the World: Problems and Solutions. Understanding and preventing stroke in Aotearoa and globally. (Royal Society of New Zealand lecture)
The Stroke Riskometer app and PreventS-MD web app
- August 2024: Balakrishnan Nair had an article published in Contact: The Magazine for members of the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand. “Revolutionising stroke prevention: new tools for a healthier future”
- Two video journals created by Balakrishnan Nair and relating to PreventS-MD have been published by VJ Neurology.
- 2023, November 17: Valery Feigin was interviewed by Star Radio (New Zealand), regarding resources NISAN and NZSET have developed to help individuals control their risk factors for stroke.
- 2022: Our guide to the apps that could save your life. The Listener.
- 2015: Integrate stroke risk app into PMS, says inventor. NZ Doctor.
- 2015: Stroke Riskometer app could save lives. Western Leader.
- Identifying stroke risk.
- Overview of the Stroke Riskometer app.
- Interview with Dr Ramesh Sahathevan, TV Australia.
- Interview with Dr Dipesh Mandal, Stroke Foundation Prof Bengal.
- Promotional video for the app on Bulgarian TV.
- Interview with Prof. Wenzhi Wang, TV China.
- Launch of cut stroke in half programme, Professor Sheila Martins.
- Interview with Prof. Mohan Mehndiratta, Indian TV.
- Presentation for World Stroke Organization.
The Global Burden of Disease Study
- 12 March 2024: Valery Feigin was interviewed by ABC News Radio (Australia) about the new GBD study on the global burden of nervous system conditions.
- Endorsement of AUT GBD Neurological Centre by IHME, Washington.
- 2017: Interview at the World Congress of Neurology re GBD Study analysis paper.
ARCOS Studies and stroke epidemiology in NZ
- Description of stroke in NZ.
- Stroke epidemiology in NZ.
- 2015: New Zealand scientists launch world’s largest health study. Scoop News.
Other media mentions
- 2024: Elon Musk’s Neuralink is a ‘risky’ venture, doctors warn. Newstalk ZB.
- 2022: Let’s talk about heart health.
- Stroke is getting younger. TVNZ News.
- 2022: Seminar with Dr. Ashley Bloomfield - Stroke prevention issues.
- 2022: Presentation at the WHO Western Pacific Innovation Challenge.
Dementia
22 March 2024: Rita Krishnamurthi was interviewed on Radio New Zealand about the new HRC-funded dementia research project: Impact of Dementia mate wareware and Solutions for Equity in Aotearoa: IDEA
March 2024: Landmark dementia study focuses on ethnic diversity. Rita Krishnamurthi is one of the lead investigators
Acquired Brain Injury
6 June 2025: Dr Kelly Jones was interviewed by 1 News regarding the dangers of “Run it Straight”.
28 May 2025: Dr Kelly Jones was interviewed by Sean Plunket, The Platformregarding the dangers of “Run it Straight”.
13 March 2025: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Kelly Jones was interviewed on the Radio Rhema breakfast show to broadly discuss the different types of injury, symptoms, what treatment someone might need, where to get help, and how to get involved in the Brain Injury Awareness Month. Listen to the radio interview here.
Stroke and Stroke Riskometer
- 18 August 2023 Valery Feigin was interviewed by Dr Barb Anderson for a podcast for the Otago Branch of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences. Talking about with Dr Barb Anderson | Bonus Extra
- 4 June 2022. Valery Feigin was interviewed by The Listener: Risky business: Most apps that promise to help prevent strokes give a false sense of security.
- 26 April 2022: Valery Feigin was interviewed on Radio NZ (Nine to Noon): Where digital tools for stroke prevention fail to make the grade.
- 27 April 2022: Valery Feigin was interviewed by eHealth News: Stroke apps fail to meet basic criteria.
- 17 September 2021: Valery Feigin was interviewed in Healio online journal "Number of stroke, related deaths increased significantly in past 3 decades".