$21.6 MILLION FOR JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AND OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

THE HON GREG HUNT MP

MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE

DR KATIE ALLEN MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HIGGINS

$21.6 MILLION FOR JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AND OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

The Morrison Government is backing vital research to help Aussie kids suffering from painful chronic and congenital musculoskeletal disorders, with $21.6 million to improve diagnosis, treatment and care.

Funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), 11 research projects will explore conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, chronic pain conditions, cerebral palsy, hip dysplasia and congenital muscle disease, which in some cases can cause lifelong and debilitating pain and impairment.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said, we want every Australian child to enjoy a healthy life and for families to have access to the best evidence-based treatments and therapies.

“This investment builds on our commitment to support Australia’s best and brightest researchers, while also improving treatment, care and diagnosis for Australians and their families,” Minister Hunt said.

“Our Government’s $20 billion MRFF is a long-term, sustainable investment in Australian health and medical research, helping to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to the sustainability of the health system.”

Researchers at the University of Sydney will receive $2.4 million for their A3BC for Kids project, which looks to reduce the burden of juvenile arthritis and wean children off medications.

Monash University researchers will receive $1.8 million to improve outcomes for children with lower limb pain. Their research will likely result in definitive guidelines for international use.

The University of New South Wales will receive $2.4 million for their collaboration with international researchers on a whole genome diagnostic approach to advance diagnosis and treatment for congenital and childhood-onset muscle disease.

Federal Liberal Member for Higgins and former paediatrician, Dr Katie Allen, said Australian health and medical research continues to drive innovation to develop new therapies and treatments for a range of illnesses.

“This research is crucial because it increases our understanding of human health, and developing new ways of improving the health of our children,” Dr Allen said.

The funding for these projects is provided under the MRFF’s $613 million Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative.

The 10-year research program is driving improved patient care, translating new discoveries into clinical practice, and finding new ways to diagnose, treat and cure people suffering from rare and debilitating conditions.

Further information about the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff

[ENDS]

2021 Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents Grant Opportunity recipients

Project	Recipient	Funding
A3BC for Kids: To reduce the burden of juvenile arthritis through better biomarkers, use of machine learning and also wean children off drugs.	University of Sydney	$2,496,875.50
JIA KidsLink: Joint Venture to improve surveillance, clinical pathways and health outcomes of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis	University of Sydney	$1,597,811.40
Children with Lower Limb Pain (CLLiP): Working with families, community and health care provider’s to improve outcomes	Monash University	$1,809,204.97
Force-reducing minimalist footwear for adolescents with chronic knee pain: a randomised clinical trial	University of Melbourne	$994,740.80
myPAinhealTH (myPATH): a digitally-enabled adaptive learning system to support quality care of young Australians living with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain	Curtin University	$1,474,044.60
ACTIVE KNEECAPs! tArgeted effeCTIVE treatments for adolescent KNEECAP pain	The University of Queensland	$2,043,046.84
Pain Smart: Integrating education and clinical care for adolescents with pain	University of Sydney	$1,242,434.80
Australian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network	The University of Queensland	$2,498,384.20
Bridging Evidence Gaps – Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)	Murdoch Children’s Research Institute	$2,499,714.14
A national functional diagnostic program for therapy development in congenital muscle disease	Monash University	$2,498,200.00
Advancing congenital and childhood-onset muscle disease diagnosis and treatment – a cross-disciplinary Australian collaboration	University of New South Wales	$2,499,988.00
	Total	$21,654,445.25

$21.6 MILLION FOR JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AND OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

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