Australian scientists join global diabetes research effort

Three Australian research teams will contribute to a global effort to combat the growing incidence of type 2 diabetes, having received NHMRC funding as part of a multicountry grant call through the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).

The GACD comprises 10 of the world’s leading health research funding organisations, including the NHMRC, and aims to reduce the global burden of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases by coordinating research across the world. NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso noted, “The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes is not a health issue faced by Australia alone — it is a global problem, which is why it requires a global effort.

“These GACD grants support some of our top diabetes researchers to work with talented researchers overseas. They plan to identify new ways to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes, in low- and middle-income countries as well as Australia.”

The Australian grant recipients are listed below.

Associate Professor Louise Maple-Brown, Menzies School of Health Research ($2,117,449)

In a study focused on pregnant women with gestational or pre-existing diabetes, Associate Professor Maple-Brown will scale up existing research on Indigenous communities within the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. She and her team will monitor these women during pregnancy and after birth to identify and minimise the mother’s and infant’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Professor Anushka Patel, The George Institute for Global Health ($1,256,500)

Professor Patel will adapt and implement a lifestyle modification program in order to prevent type 2 diabetes in women with gestational diabetes living in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The research will involve conducting a randomised controlled trial of this program, which has previously shown promising results, to determine whether it can be applied and affordably brought to scale in South Asia. Professor Patel will be working collaboratively with researchers supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Associate Professor David Peiris, The George Institute for Global Health ($1,385,858)

Associate Professor Peiris will develop and trial a digital intervention program to help people with type 2 diabetes better manage their condition and prevent complications. The trial will involve communities in Beijing and rural villages in China and employ mobile phone technologies to help overcome issues of access to effective health care. Associate Professor Peiris will be working collaboratively with researchers supported by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.