Senator Anne Urquhart
Chief Government Whip in the Senate
Senator For Tasmania
MEDIA RELEASE
UTAS WINS FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH TO IMPROVE FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AND TREAT CHILDHOOD DEMENTIA
The University of Tasmania has been awarded $1.6 million through the Albanese Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Nearly 200 ground-breaking medical research projects across Australia will share in more than $382 million in grants, including more than $32 million to improve First Nations health.
The projects will help Tasmania’s outstanding medical researchers, including clinician researchers, discover new ways to diagnose, treat and care for people with a variety of health conditions. They will also support early and mid-career researchers and give more Australians access to clinical trials.
Research projects on cardiovascular disease, primary and preventative health care, respiratory diseases, childhood dementia, maternal health, mental health and First Nations health, will receive funding to progress important work.
The two UTAS research projects are:
- Privileging the spirit, voices, and culture of Aboriginal people in dementia care: Education for non-Aboriginal healthcare providers $989,089.80
- A new substrate reduction strategy to treat childhood dementias: Glucosylceramide synthase-targeting antisense oligonucleotides $599,977.30
Of the 193 projects funded, 19 grants worth more than $32.3 million are related to First Nations health and a further 13 grants worth more than $16.9 million are related to mental health.
All projects to receive funding can be found here.
Quotes attributable to Anne Urquhart, Senator for Tasmania:
“I’m pleased that a significant part of the funding is coming to UTAS to assist Australia’s researchers solve the health issues which challenge our community.
“I congratulate UTAS on being part of these two important research projects aimed at improving health outcomes and the experience of aging.
“This funding is about strengthening opportunities for Australian health and medical research and deepening international research ties now and in the future.
“As the Albanese Government renews the focus on Closing the Gap, it is timely that significant research funding will address health issues that are important to the health of our First Nations people.
“Childhood dementia affects a child’s ability to learn, play and recognise family and friends and has a death rate similar to childhood cancer and there are few treatment options.
“Working alongside talented and expert researchers provides such an important opportunity to discover solutions to complex health issues.
“The investment in these projects is a testament to the Albanese Government’s commitment to see a healthier way of life, from birth to old age.”
Friday, 17 March 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Susan Wallace – 0418 372 198
