- Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Spotlight Program recipients announced
- Inaugural $25 million program is targeting rheumatic heart disease
- Cook Labor Government committed to investing in research and medical breakthroughs to the benefit of Western Australians
The Cook Labor Government has announced the successful recipient of the groundbreaking Future Health Research and Innovation Fund (FHRI) Spotlight Program, which is targeting rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
The Spotlight Program will provide up to $25 million over five years to one successful lead applicant who will bring together researchers, health professionals, community organisations, and other partners to design and deliver a co-ordinated, State-wide response to RHD.
The program will be led by Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, with a Spotlight Coordinating Team consisting of the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA), WA Country Health Service, and The Kids Research Institute Australia through its affiliation with The University of Western Australia. The partnership, to be known as END RHD WA, will help the Cook Labor Government tackle disproportionate impacts of RHD on Aboriginal people
The initial $1 million funding will go toward the team building partnerships, consulting communities, and working with key stakeholders to develop a transformative research and delivery program.
Professor Carapetis and the team will present their planned approach to the government for review, before the remaining $24 million is committed to their program.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Professor Carapetis and the END RHD WA partnership bring world-class expertise and leadership that will be pivotal to making advances in combatting RHD, which is a disease that disproportionately impacts Aboriginal people.
"The Cook Labor Government continues to invest in research programs to support life-changing health breakthroughs for Western Australian communities.
"We're really looking forward to reviewing the Spotlight Coordinating Team's planned approach to tackling RHD and its underlying causes, and to see how their work will drive lasting solutions for Western Australia."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"It's through investments in medical research like this that we can make meaningful change to improve the health of Western Australians.
"The key to preventing RHD is to prevent Group A Streptococcus infections occurring in the first place.
"Tackling those contributing social and environmental factors that increase the risk of infection through adequate access to culturally appropriate health care is vital."
As stated by Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton:
"RHD remains a significant and preventable public health challenge facing Western Australia.
"I'm pleased to see collaboration at the centre of this work, ensuring prevention, early intervention and community engagement are embedded from the very beginning.
"I'm looking forward to this team driving the collaborative solutions needed to reduce rates of rheumatic heart disease across Western Australian communities."
As stated by Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia Chair Vicki O'Donnell OAM:
"Aboriginal leadership is the driving force behind this Spotlight Coordinating Team.
"AHCWA and our 24 Member Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are not simply stakeholders to be consulted - we are equal partners and shared decision-makers."
As stated by Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM program lead:
"We know this is a multi-faceted problem requiring action on a number of fronts, and the team is really excited about helping drive long-lasting solutions to that problem.
"Preventative care is key to managing RHD, requiring targeted interventions and community engagement to reduce its prevalence and improve health outcomes."
