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The ability to make insulin was one of the great medical breakthroughs of the 20th Century. However, it quickly became clear to clinicians and researchers how complicated the human body's systems were for regulating and using blood sugar. In the absence of a deep understanding of these systems, providing insulin could have dangers.

Access to safe and nutritious food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health. Unsafe food – containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances – can cause more than 200 different diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. 

Chikungunya is a mosquito-transmitted viral disease characterised by sporadic, unpredictable outbreaks. Due to international travel and the spread of potential disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitos, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections have been identified in over 125 countries.1 Over the past 20 years, more than 10 million chikungunya virus infections have been reported, highlighting CHIKV as a significant global health threat. An international consortium involving NHMRC-funded researchers at Griffith University has developed 2 vaccines against CHIKV. 

While progress has been made globally in reducing the impact of tuberculosis (TB), and while Australia has achieved a TB rate among the lowest reported, the South-East Asian region remains a global TB ‘hot spot’. Australia is well placed to help countries in our region deal with TB as we have world-class domestic systems for disease surveillance and control in human and animal health, and a strong track record of cooperation with countries in the region, including on primary health care. Research by a number of Australian research institutions has contributed to regional improvements to TB detection, prevention and treatment, and has demonstrated the possibility of the rapid reduction in TB prevalence within neighbouring countries.

MatCH is one of five cohort studies embedded in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH— also known as Women's Health Australia). MatCH is increasing our understanding of the intergenerational determinants of child health and development in Australia, and MatCH data are providing an unprecedented opportunity to investigate preconception and life course determinants of child health outcomes. ALSWH is a national research resource providing an evidence base to assist policy makers to develop and evaluate policy and practice in service delivery areas affecting women.

The International collaboration for a Life course Approach to reproductive health and Chronic disease Events (InterLACE) is an international research collaboration on women’s reproductive health that includes the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) as a core dataset. InterLACE has provided detailed and robust evidence on reproductive characteristics and disease risk factors across global populations, and is contributing to preventive strategies and targeted approaches to women’s health.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents and children in Australia is intended for use by clinicians including general practitioners. 

This information has been developed for health practitioners to support discussion with men and their families about prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer. It covers benefits, possible risks, current research and frequently asked questions.

The Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research (ART guidelines) are used by professional organisations to set standards for the practice of ART. The 2023 update includes the addition of Part D to support the ethical introduction of mitochondrial donation into ART in Australia, along with minor administrative updates to the 2017 guidelines. 

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide. In Australia during the 20th century, it was a major cause of infant death. NHMRC-funded researchers at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne (RCH) and the University of Melbourne discovered rotavirus. Along with researchers at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) they made important contributions to the development of vaccines against it, leading to significant decreases in hospitalisation for infant diarrhoea globally.

Ensuring the highest quality and value of NHMRC-funded research is a priority for NHMRC. NHMRC’s Research Quality Strategy outlines the key areas NHMRC will focus on to provide guidance and support for good research practices throughout the research cycle.

The Vitamin K administration to newborn infants to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infancy recommendations for Vitamin K to be given to newborn children.

DNA testing can be used for a number of purposes not related to health. One area of interest is the potential for DNA testing and genetic profiles in sport applications such as talent identification, individualised training programs and avoidance of sport-related injury.

Allergic diseases cost the Australian economy about $30 billion per year in direct financial costs and lost wellbeing.1 Pollens are the most widespread allergen source globally. In Australia, grass pollen exposure is a major trigger of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and is linked to increases in hospital emergency department visits and admissions for asthma.2 

MRFF – Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative - 2025 Incorporating Patient Data in Health Technology Assessment Decision Making Grant Opportunity

MRFF – Global Health Initiative – 2025 Mental Health and Climate Change Grant Opportunity

NHMRC Approval

Professor Angela Morgan is head of speech and language at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Professor of Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne and was the recipient of the 2020 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award (Leadership in Clinical Medicine and Science).

MRFF – Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative - 2024 Improving the Health Outcomes of People with Intellectual Disability Grant Opportunity

Cancer Australia – 2024 Improving First Nations Cancer Outcomes: Partnerships for Cancer Research Grant Opportunity