Health-related research programs across the nation will receive more than $115 million over five years from the Australian Government.
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, said that 20 research teams would receive funding under the NHMRC's Program Grants Scheme.
"For example, in the Northern Territory, $7 million will be available to investigate why diabetes, heart and kidney disease occur in epidemic proportions amongst Indigenous Australians and how these diseases can be overcome.
"In WA, Professor Fiona Stanley and her team will receive $7.7 million to find out why some complex health and development problems in children and young people appear to be increasing and to develop effective prevention strategies.
"Nine Victorian teams will receive nearly $49 million to investigate better treatments for chronic heart disease, allergy and asthma and for diseases, such as arthritis and atherosclerosis.
"In NSW, five teams will receive $31.8 million to work on programs ranging from the prevention and treatment of common cardiovascular diseases, to early detection and the effective management of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
"In Queensland, three teams will receive nearly $15 million to develop more effective pain treatments and new vaccines for chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, and to improve the safety of bone marrow transplantation.
"A South Australian team will receive more than $4.6 million to better understand asthma and arthritis."
The Government has more than doubled investment in health and medical research since 1999. In 2004-05, funding for health and medical research will be over $420 million.