Heart Foundation funds outstanding researchers
The National Heart Foundation of Australia has announced the recipients of research funding awards for 2007. The funding, worth over $9m, has been allocated to researchers across the country to undertake important projects relating to heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.
Cardiovascular disease is Australia’s biggest killer and greatest health challenge – 38% of all deaths are due to heart, stroke and blood vessel disease with an Australian dying from one of these causes every ten minutes.
The Heart Foundation is the largest non-government funder of research. In 2007, it will provide funding for over 160 awards, the highest number ever, and is made up of Grants-in-Aid, Fellowships, Postgraduate Scholarships, Vacation Scholarships and Travel Grants.
One study to be funded will investigate the development of a vaccine that will prevent infection of the organism that is responsible for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Another will look at developing strategies to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.
Other projects that have received funding for next year include studies into the
consequences of women’s nutrition during pregnancy for the cardiovascular health of their children, using the internet to promote physical activity among older adults and novel factors to predict the risk of heart attack.
