- $2 million awarded to support significant studies into health of Western Australians
- Funding to progress six Western Australian cohort studies
- Study focus areas include cancer, perinatal health and early child development
Long running cohort studies being conducted in Western Australia on major health issues have been awarded $2 million by the Cook Government to continue their life saving research.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said the funding would provide ongoing financial assistance to six Western Australian cohort studies that hold local and international importance due to their research achievements.
The $2 million in grants, provided through the State Government's groundbreaking Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, will enable some of the most significant and long-running cohort studies in Western Australia to continue.
The WA Cohort Studies Operational Support Program (WACS-OSP) enables cohort studies to continue their contributions to clinical studies and the delivery of health outcomes.
The six cohort studies include:
- Busselton Health Study
- Cancer Blood Biomarkers Study
- The ORIGINS Project
- PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity Study (PLAYCE)
- The Raine Study
- Western Australian Paediatric Oncology Cohort.
The Raine Study celebrates a 35-year anniversary this year, as one of the most extensive studies of pregnancy, childhood and adulthood ever undertaken. With more than 650 peer-reviewed papers published, it continues to improve health and wellbeing along the life course, through ground-breaking research into pregnancy, breastfeeding, early childhood, and young adults.
The Cancer Blood Biomarkers Study aims to identify cancer biomarkers in blood and other body fluids, to enable personalised cancer monitoring and treatment. Results from this study have significantly improved the understanding of how blood biomarkers can inform treatment decisions for cancer patients.
The PLAYCE cohort examines the importance of physical activity in young children in WA, particularlyaround how early childhood education, the home, and surrounding environments can promote physical activity and healthy child development.
The WACS-OSP is administered through the Department of Health's Office of Medical Research and Innovation. Further information regarding all the recipients can be found on FHRI website.
The Cook Government established the productive FHRI Fund in 2020, which is backed by the State's almost $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund. This has resulted in nearly $250 million being available over the next four years to support health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"It's a priority for the Cook Government to ensure that this long term and lifesaving medical research can continue, and WA maintains its international reputation a centre of excellence in the field of medical research.
"We have some remarkable medical studies taking place in WA, providing significant contributions to the medical research sector.
"These contributions will ultimately benefit the health and wellbeing of Western Australians, and it is imperative that this vital work continues, as it generates a WA perspective in ongoing research.
"Our Government has a vision to make Western Australia an international hub for medical research and innovation and our FHRI Fund continues to provide a strong investment platform to make this happen."
