Backing research to drive improvements in patient care
We’re funding three specialist health research programs with Hunter Medical Research Institute that will tackle chronic disease, mental health and joint replacements.
We are proud to partner with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), to support their research advancing in chronic disease management, mental health care, and surgical recovery.
With chronic disease affecting nearly half of all Australians, this partnership with HMRI aims to advance research that improves patient care. The research programs drive efforts to close gap in healthcare and deliver better health outcomes for the wider community, including nib members.
Representatives from HMRI, nib and nib foundation
In one of the programs, Professor Murray Cairns, from HMRI’s Precision Medicine Research Program, will lead the research using genetic data in healthcare for people with chronic conditions. The research is aimed at helping clinicians more accurately tailor treatment for individuals, aiming for better long-term outcomes. Incorporating genetic data into chronic disease management will lead to more precise, personalised treatment. Professor Cairns’ work includes using genetic studies, tissue pathology, and animal models to identify modifiable disease risks and improve precision medicine including advance drug development.
University of Newcastle’s Dr. Karen Ribbons, from HMRI’s Heart and Stroke Research Program, will lead EXTOKA: Patient education for knee surgery outcomes. With more than 53,000 knee replacements performed nationally each year, patients can feel uncertain about what to expect from surgery, and their recovery. The program is designed to improve patient education before knee surgery, and achieve better recovery outcomes.
University of Newcastle Professor, Jenny Bowman, from HMRI’s Population Health Research Program, will focus on integrating mental health care with digital coaching, ensuring that people with mental illness receive ongoing lifestyle support to improve their wellbeing. Professor Bowman’s work is focused on reducing chronic disease risk factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity, along with equity healthcare delivery. As many people struggle to access ongoing support beyond their initial treatment for mental health, this shared care model will provide continuous guidance to help people manage their condition.
The three projects will be completed in 2025 and 2026.
Read more about our partnership with HMRI and the three research programs.