North-West University (NWU) researcher Dr Charity Masilela put public health research at the university on an international platform when she received the Best Poster Presenter Award at the 12th International Conference on Public Health, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 5 to 7 August 2026.

Dr Masilela is a staff member in the Lifestyle Diseases research entity at the NWU. Her recognition formed part of a conference that brought together researchers, academics, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to exchange research and approaches to public health challenges.

The conference was held under the theme “Beyond boundaries: Advancing public health through sustainability, innovation and global change”, with discussions focusing on how research and health systems can respond to changes affecting communities across the world.

Dr Masilela presented a poster titled “Prevalence, patterns, and cardiometabolic predictors of dyslipidemia among adults with Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension in the Cape Metro district” under the conference sub-theme “Communities, diseases, and care across the life course”.

Dr Masilela’s presentation highlighted the high burden of dyslipidemia among adults living with diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the Cape Metro district, as well as the cardiometabolic factors associated with abnormal lipid profiles. The findings emphasise the importance of strengthening lipid screening and cardiovascular risk assessment as part of the routine management of patients with diabetes and hypertension. 

Her Best Poster Presenter Award recognised her presentation among those delivered during the conference and provided another platform for research from the Lifestyle Diseases research entity to reach an international audience.

The entity conducts research relating to lifestyle diseases and health challenges affecting communities, with its researchers contributing to discussions on prevention, healthcare and population health.

Dr Masilela’s participation also provided an opportunity to engage researchers and public health practitioners from different countries on research approaches and challenges that extend across national borders.

The recognition follows another achievement by Prof. Leepile Sehularo, a researcher and director of the Lifestyle Diseases research entity, who was recently named second runner-up for the best oral presentation at the Ubuntu Nursing Colloquium held at the University of Pretoria on 12 August 2026.

Together, the two recognitions highlight research contributions by staff in the entity and their participation on national and international platforms where healthcare research and practice are discussed.

Dr Charity Masilela received the Best Poster Presenter Award at the 12th International Conference on Public Health.