New Centre for Clinical Research Excellence, Aboriginal health: sexually transmissible and blood-borne viral infections

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has awarded $2.5 million to Professor John Kaldor of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR) to develop a Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Aboriginal health with a focus on sexually transmissible and blood-borne viral infections.

The NHMRC is an independent statutory agency within the Department of Health and Ageing and is regarded as the nation’s most prominent supporter of health and medical research. The NHMRC makes available funding for quality and innovative clinical research through the Centres for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) Program. In 2009, the NHMRC awarded grants totalling almost $15 million over five years, for the development of six new centres specialising in a range of health areas.

Professor John Kaldor is part of the chief investigating team that will be developing the CCRE in Aboriginal health with a focus on sexually transmissible and blood-borne viral infections. This CCRE will be a collaborative partnership between the NCHECR and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Working within the Aboriginal community controlled health sector, the centre will seek to identify new approaches for diagnosing and managing sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viral infections. There will also be a focus on improving clinical guidelines and enhancing research capacity within the sector. 

• Further information:
  • View information: National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research
  • Health is at hand for all Australians
    View media release: Department of Health and Ageing (30 June 2009)
  • New Centre for Excellence in Aboriginal health to mark World Health Day
    View media release: NHMRC (7 April 2009)
• Contact details:
  • National Health and Medical Research Council, ph: 13 000 64672, (02) 6217 9000, fax: (02) 6217 9100, email: nhmrc@nhmrc.gov.au, Street Level 1, 16 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601, Postal address: National Health and Medical Research Council, GPO Box 1421, Canberra ACT 2601.