COVID-19 thanked for accelerating diabetes and heart condition funding

Diseases described as a different kind of pandemic will receive fast tracked, cutting-edge research for thanks to an investment from the Morrison government.

‘Diabetes is a pandemic — and there are many different types of diabetes and all are increasing in prevalence’: Diabetes Australia chief executive Greg Johnson. Picture: Christopher Chan

Diseases described by health ­experts as a different kind of pandemic — diabetes and cardiovascular disease — will undergo fast-tracked, cutting-edge research for new therapies thanks to a $47m investment from the Morrison government.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced a four-year program to accelerate research into preventing, diagnosing and treating the two chronic conditions.

“Diabetes and cardiovascular disease affects millions of Australians and this research will make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Mr Hunt said.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has his temperature checked before touring the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne on Thursday. Picture: AAP

“It will also save lives. Heart disease kills one Australian every 12 minutes, while diabetes causes more than one-in-10 deaths in our nation. This investment will consolidate research being done and see ideas developed into outcomes more quickly.”

Diabetes Australia chief executive Greg Johnson said diabetes was a “pandemic”.

“We need new therapies and innovation to find better ways to prevent and treat all types of diabetes,” Professor Johnson said.

“Diabetes is a pandemic — and there are many different types of diabetes and all are increasing in prevalence. This investment is warmly welcomed and should help Australia to fast track the development of new medicines and technologies.”

More than four million Australians live with some form of cardiovascular disease and over 3.5 million Australians have diabetes or pre-diabetes. More than half a million Australians are living with both of the chronic conditions.

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer of Australians every year, claiming over 20,000 lives, which is more than every type of cancer combined.

Mr Hunt said the program would bring together industry, researchers, clinical organisations, businesses and philanthropists to deliver results.

An expert board has been appointed to oversee the initiative’s overall direction including grant review, selection and approval processes and to advise the government on how funds can best be directed to deliver results.

Heart Foundation CEO Professor John Kelly, who has been appointed to the expert board, told The Australian the coronavirus pandemic was likely one of the fundamental reasons this funding model had been accelerated.

“COVID-19 has created additional dilemmas for the cohort of Australians who suffer from diabetes, cardiovascular disease or both, because they are more prone to having complications if they get coronavirus,” Professor Kelly said.

“While the virus hasn’t been put forward as a reason to fast-track the funding, I think it would have to be part of the underlying rationale as to why we need to prioritise this kind of research.”

He said the Australian community had become “very complacent” about such research in recent years and that this funding would give scientists job security and certainty.

“A lot of researchers are on soft money and can’t continue the research when they run out, which has been the main frustration,” he said. “Creating this accelerated stream gives the researchers certainty to be able to investigate without running out of money.”

He said incredible developments already coming out of the research facilities included the regeneration of dead heart cells.