WA Government Announces $16 Million Boost to Child Health Research

The Western Australian Government has announced a $16 million investment in the WA Child Research Fund (WACRF) over the next four years. This funding aims to advance child and adolescent health and medical research, providing crucial support for innovative projects that address pressing health issues among Western Australia’s youth.

The WACRF, co-funded by the State Government and the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, has been a cornerstone of paediatric research since its inception in 2012. To date, it has awarded over $46.6 million to 160 projects, ranging from the development of probiotics to prevent childhood pneumonia to studies on the long-term impacts of paediatric burns.

This latest funding round will see $3.6 million distributed among 6 pioneering research projects. Among the recipients is Dr. Noula Gibson from the Child and Adolescent Health Service, who has been awarded nearly $600,000 to expand the RESP-ACT program. This initiative focuses on early identification and management of respiratory disease in children with cerebral palsy, aiming to improve their quality of life and reduce hospital admissions.

Other projects include research into lung disease phenotypes post-preterm birth, innovative treatments for middle ear infections, and personalized medicine approaches for childhood bronchiectasis. These projects, led by researchers from institutions such as Curtin University and the University of Western Australia, highlight the diverse and impactful nature of the research supported by the WACRF.

For more information on the WA Child Research Fund and the latest round of recipients, visit the WA Health website.