Scientist putting drops into a test tube. Source : Martin Lopez via Pexels
The federal government has announced a $24 million investment for health and medical research that focuses on improving outcomes for women.
The funding will help develop targeted treatments, including those for breast and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and mental health impacts of infertility treatments.
The funding is part of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s 2022 Ideas Grant funding.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney said the funding of the projects is important for helping Australian women go about life with their health needs met.
“Every Australian deserves access to quality healthcare that caters to their needs.” Ms Kearney said.
“Investing in research that supports women’s specific health concerns is critical.
“These grants in health and medical research, looking at important health issues such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and pregnancy, will improve health outcomes for women across Australia.” She said.
Important projects are among the recipients, including Associate Professor Stacey Edwards and her group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, who are exploring how DNA variation contributes to ovarian cancer.
Studies have found that there are some human DNA markers that are linked to an increased risk in developing ovarian cancer, however exact causes and the critical genes driving the risk are not yet known.
NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso, AO, said the research into different forms of cancer are critical for future health developments and will help to advance understanding.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australia, while ovarian cancer is one of the most challenging to treat.” Professor Kelso said.
“Research has underpinned the extraordinary advances made to date in understanding, diagnosing, and treating these diseases.
“It is critical that we continue to invest in research to prevent and treat these and other important issues in women’s health.” She said.
The funding for project exploring women’s health is a part of a $241 million investment in research through the NHMRC’s Ideas Grant scheme.
There are a variety of other projects who are recipients of the funding.
More than $1.4 million has been awarded to Associate Professor Anna Calkin from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute to investigate the differences between male and female heart responses to exercise.
Dr Fiona Cousins from Monash University was awarded more than $1.1 million to investigate whether an immune modulate can be a treatment for endometriosis.
Professor Hamish Scott from the University of South Australia was awarded more than $1.4 million to improve current understanding into the causes of pregnancy loss through using novel genomic techniques and studying genetic variation in the placenta.
Other projects include seeking to prevent nephron deficiency in premature infants, to combine genetics and genomics to combat ovarian cancer, and to understand how platelets prevent fetal and neonatal stroke, among other projects.
