A project in partnership with community organisations to guide the effective use of medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV is one of seven research collaborations sharing in over $9 million in NHMRC Partnership Project funding.
Also funded through the latest round of NHMRC Partnership Project Grants are collaborations to enhance best-practice management of knee osteoarthritis, better support women recovering after cancer treatment, and enhancing women’s recovery after cancer treatment.
The Partnership Project Grant scheme funds collaborations between health and medical researchers, local governments, health service providers and not-for-profit organisations to co-design and deliver research addressing health needs in Australia.
Acting NHMRC CEO Ms Prue Torrance said that by working in partnership with policy makers and healthcare organisations across the country, researchers ensure their research asks the right questions.
“These projects will be able to deliver significant improvements in health, healthcare access and equity for Australian communities,”
“The Partnership Project Grant scheme supports researchers to work directly with these partners, including hospitals, state governments, community services and patient representative bodies, to design and deliver programs that respond to community needs.”
Doctor Benjamin Bavinton and team will receive almost $1.5 million to partner with community organisations, including ACON and the Australasian Society for HIV, to guide the effective introduction of long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Australia.
PreP is a highly effective HIV prevention option that has revolutionised HIV prevention in Australia and can reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99% when taken consistently as prescribed.
The University of New South Wales team will work with 900 patients and 24 clinic staff at six clinical sites across three Australian states in their implementation trial.
Funding provided through this round of Partnership Project Grants includes:
· Over $1.3 million for Professor Sandie McCarthy (University of Queensland) and team to test a cancer recovery program which aims to ensure women who survive breast and gynaecological cancers have the same quality of life as their peers.
· Almost $1.4 million for Professor David Hunter (University of Sydney) and team to compare the effectiveness of a telehealth approach with optimal face-to-face treatment of knee osteoarthritis, to inform policy makers and service providers on best-practice management of this condition.
· Nearly $1.5 million for Professor John Kaldor (University of New South Wales) and team to support research on infectious pathogens and associated risk factors in blood donors.
Projects funded today will be supported by more than 40 funding partners bringing the total investment in the collaborative research to over $24.8 million.
