Funding boost for health project
GAINING a further $17.6 million will help Healthier Lives researchers, hosted by the University of Otago, to improve health research and counter the obesity epidemic, Prof Jim Mann says.
Prof Mann was ‘‘delighted’’ that initial funding for the first five years of the Healthier LivesOranga Hauora National Science Challenge had now been followed by further funds to support another five years, until 2024.
Prof Mann is the Healthier Lives director and is codirector of the university’s Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre.
He said the Healthier Lives strategy emphasised health equity.
He welcomed today’s announcement from Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods, confirming the further funding for its 20192024 research strategy.
Dr Woods said $422.5 million overall was being released for New Zealand’s 11 National Science Challenges, which were addressing some of our biggest challenges, such as climate change, housing and mental health, in a ‘‘worldleading’’ collaborative approach.
Prof Mann said it was ‘‘very exciting’’ that the Government had appreciated what had already been done and was also funding further work, from July 1 next year.
Dr Woods also announced that the Ageing Well Challenge, directed by Prof David Baxter, former dean of the Otago School of Physiotherapy, would receive $20.3 million over the next five years, starting mid next year.
Prof Mann has previously spoken out over the threat posed by obesity and diabetes, and an international study last year found New Zealand adults were the third most obese in the OECD, behind only the United States and Mexico.
Healthier Lives was charged with ‘‘reducing the burden of major New Zealand health problems’’ and would focus future research on three areas: healthy food and physical activity environments; culturallycentred health interventions; and precision medicine and personalised prevention, he said.