The value of investing in cardovascular research and development in Australia
Cardiovascular research is expected to provide the greatest well-being gains to Australia, with a total benefit of $39.5 billion, according to the Australian Society of Medical Research (ASMR) report, ‘Exceptional Returns – The value of investing in health research and development in Australia II.’
It also found that cardiovascular disease accounts for 18% of the total disease burden to Australians, second only to cancer at 19%.
The Heart Foundation, which is funding $12 million of cardiovascular research in 2008, said the ‘Exceptional Returns’ report confirms the impact of cardiovascular disease on Australia, and highlights the urgent need for further investment for research.
While the figures show that cardiovascular research provides the greatest well-being gains to Australia, the expenditure on research in this area is only half that of cancer, which has a similar disease burden.
