Australian Government commits funding for Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre
The Digital Health CRC is seeking to improve health outcomes for Australians through the use of digital technologies which can improve access to the right health care, lower costs and increase understanding and awareness.
The Australian Government has committed A$55 million over 7 years in funding over a period of 7 years for a Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). Government and industry partners will contribute a total of A$174.2 million in cash and in-kind over the period.
The Digital Health CRC is seeking to improve health outcomes for Australians through the use of digital technologies which can improve access to the right health care, lower costs and increase understanding and awareness. It seeks to empower consumers; help understand and manage health risks of individuals and communities; support clinical practice; improve system efficiency and access to quality care.
The CRC is examining better ways to share information on adverse reactions and developing better decision support apps.
Its objectives also include advancing the economy and building and enhancing businesses to provide high value jobs and solutions in a growing global market.
This will be accomplished through collaborative research and development that combines multi-disciplinary skills, industry knowledge, technologies, networks and data.
The research programs underpinning the Centre include: 1) Enabling information discovery and application; 2) Identifying and managing health risk; 3) Better value, quality, access & safety; and 4) Consumer empowerment and positive behavior.
The CRC will assemble partners from across Australia’s health and wellness landscape.
According to a press release from the University of Sydney, which is a lead partner in this CRC, participants include 40 commercial and government organisations operating across the health, aged care and disability sectors; 24 established and start-up technology, advisory and investment companies; and 16 Australian universities.
The Centre has the support of both the Australian Digital Health Agency and the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals industry growth centre (MTP Connect).
Professor Tim Shaw from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor Adam Elshaug, Co-Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy – both of the University of Sydney’s multidisciplinary Charles Perkins Centre – are named lead investigators in the CRC.
Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash said, “The Digital Health CRC brings together industry and research partners to advance our health and medical technologies, and pharmaceutical industries, in a collaborative and multidisciplinary way.”
"The CRC will address industry issues by supporting clinical practice, improving access to quality care, fostering high value jobs and developing Australia's future digital Health workforce.”
Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation, Zed Seselja added, “CRCs link researchers with industry and government with a focus towards research application. This is why the CRC Program continues to be at the forefront of the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries,” Assistant Minister Seselja said.
The Australian Government’s CRC Program is administered by AusIndustry, a division within the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. The CRC Program aims to foster high quality research to solve industry-identified problems through industry-led and outcome-focused collaborative research partnerships between industry entities and research organisations.
By: Priyankar Bhunia
