Complementary medicine gets a boost
Research into the fast-growing area of complementary and alternative medicine has received a $7 million funding boost from the Australian Government.
More than $2 billion is spent nationally, with up to two-thirds of the Australian adult population using at least one product and one in four using complementary medicine services.
There is growing evidence that complementary medicine can make a significant, cost-effective contribution to public health in chronic-disease management and in preventative care.
The Government’s support is intended to help bridge the gap between those who believe in and use complementary medicine and the strength of evidence to support that use.
Funding of $1.74 million has been awarded to establish three National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) Collaborative Centres and a further $5.3 million for 13 projects that will be funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The NICM Collaborative Centres will be established at the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney and Swinburne University of Technology.
The projects funded by the NHMRC will deliver evidence-based studies, including clinical trials, to strengthen acceptance and integration of alternative therapies into the health care system.
The projects include the use of complementary and alternative medicines and self-management among people with type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and the evaluation of nutritional supplements in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
