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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-12 Daily Xml
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POPULATION HEALTH INTERGENERATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:37): My question is directed to the Minister for Science and Information Economy. What support is the government providing to conduct research into preventative measures to address related major illnesses and mortality?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:38): The Premier's Science and Research Fund is one of the many outstanding state government research initiatives which provide essential funding support to projects that assist in building skills, knowledge and capabilities in science, technology and innovation throughout our state. A particular project I would like to inform members about is the South Australian Population Health Intergenerational Research project, which is investigating measures aimed at preventing major causes of illness and mortality. The results of this research will provide a solid foundation for the development of new strategies to help improve health and fitness outcomes for all South Australians. This comprehensive strategic research project received $1.35 million over three years from the Premier's Science and Research Fund, with matching cash and in-kind support from the Department of Health, and I thank the Minister for Health for his enthusiastic support for this project.

While the project is led by the University of South Australia, it has strong collaboration links with our other two local universities, as well as the Spencer Gulf Rural Health School, all of which have provided substantial financial support. Their involvement exemplifies the outstanding collaborative capabilities and capacities of our state's leading research institutions. A point that I make quite often is we have been very successful in acquiring commonwealth funding because we do things in a way that distinguishes us from other states, that is, we have an ability to work together very well. There are great advantages for South Australia in respect of our future in these areas.

The SAPHIRe project brings together a multidisciplinary team of expert local and international researchers to design, implement and interpret a multigenerational cohort study of the health and fitness of South Australian families. The SAPHIRe project is building and linking data across existing long-term health studies in Adelaide and has kick-started one of the first comprehensive regional health assessments—and I know the member for Giles is aware of this—the Whyalla Intergenerational Study of Health (WISH). WISH will be a leader in community health research in regional and rural Australia, inviting approximately 2,500 Whyalla households to participate in a project that aims to improve our knowledge of health issues and to help keep families 'fit for life'.

The SAPHIRe project will have enormous long-term benefits for South Australians, giving us the potential to further develop our research profile—both nationally and, indeed, internationally—by creating a collaborative research hub for intergenerational health, with a strategic focus on health throughout life and between generations.

Mr Venning interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Ivan, I think you could do with a fitness program, having a look at you; all right. This project will not only provide detailed reports on biological, health and social data for up to 5,000 adults and 2,000 children but it will include an economic analysis that models specific intervention strategies. The research outcomes from this project will complement the important work being led by the ministers for health, education and mental health in areas such as childhood and adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory health, mental health and independence in ageing.

Without doubt, this project is a further example of the capacity among South Australian researchers for effective research collaboration. The SAPHIRe project will help deliver significant outcomes for South Australians and reinforce our state's reputation as a centre for world-class research.

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