$220 million of new funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has been invested in crucial Australian Cardiovascular research.
The announcement supports a Mission for Cardiovascular Health that has been developed by the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACvA), which brings together the country’s major scientific societies in the field, including institutions, RACGP, industry and partners with the Heart Foundation for the advancement of heart, stroke and vascular disease research.
The ACvA, a member of Science & Technology Australia (STA), said one in three Australians currently die from heart disease and cardiovascular disease costs the community $8.8 billion a year. It is the country’s largest direct health cost.
While the identification and treatment of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc, have led to a substantial reduction in cardiac illness and death in Australia, an increasing proportion of patients with heart problems don’t have these risk factors.
STA CEO, Kylie Walker, commended the strategic investment.
“Cardiovascular research will directly and indirectly impact the lives of all Australians,” she said.
“Advances in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment demonstrate the power of long-term, strategic investment in research – this new investment will significantly enhance Australia’s capacity to advance and apply knowledge in this crucial sphere. STA urges a similarly strategic approach to public investment across all scientific and technological disciplines.”
More information on the announcement can be found on the ACvA website.
