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About NICM HRI

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Western Sydney University’s NICM Health Research Institute (NICM HRI) is Australia’s leader in integrative and complementary medicine research and policy. Seed funded in 2007 by the Australia Government and New South Wales State Government, NICM HRI plays a key national role in ensuring Australians have access to reliable evidence on complementary medicines and treatments in wide use.

As an ERA 5 rated institute, NICM HRI is globally recognised for its world-class research and innovations in integrative and complementary medicine. NICM HRI is Australia’s most awarded ERA 5 institute in the field of complementary medicine research, rated for three consecutive trienniums, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

NICM HRI conducts research that advances our knowledge and understanding of natural and traditional medicine and promotes evidence-based integrative healthcare. Our research includes clinical trials, laboratory testing and policy work. Our research effort is concentrated in:

  • Preventing and treating cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
  • Preventing and treating neurocognitive and mental health disorders.
  • Reproductive health.
  • Cancer management and recovery.
  • Immunity and inflammation.

NICM HRI also undertakes research in the following emerging areas:

  • Traditional and indigenous medicine, such as bush medicine in Australia.
  • Mind and body therapies, such as yoga and meditation.
  • Medicinal cannabis.

NICM HRI was established to provide leadership and support for strategically directed research into complementary medicine and translation of evidence into clinical practice and relevant policy to benefit the health of all Australians.

The establishment of NICM HRI follows the 2003 recommendation by the Expert Committee on Complementary Medicines in the Australian Health System that the government has a social responsibility to fund complementary medicine research given the high community use of complementary medicines and therapies.

Established with bi-partisan support from the federal and NSW state governments in 2007, NICM HRI provides leadership and support for strategically directed research into complementary medicine and helps translate evidence into clinical practice and relevant policy to benefit the health of all Australians.

During its first three years of operation NICM HRI established three Collaborative Centres with additional industry funding, demonstrated the cost effectiveness of a range of complementary medicine interventions in collaboration with Access Economics, funded several integrative healthcare pilot studies and has provided a vital link between researchers, practitioners, industry and government.

The Collaborative Centres have supported the professional development of 17 HDR (PhD and Masters) students and 21 postdoctoral fellows and research associates. NICM HRI has made significant progress in advancing a collaborative approach to complementary medicine research aligned with national health priorities.  It has also established a reputation as an independent, authoritative voice for the complementary medicine sector.

From 2012-14 NICM HRI focused on guiding sector reform, including creating better incentives to invest in research and improved integration of evidence-based interventions into mainstream practice.

The Institute will continue to identify and refine national research priorities, contribute to the development of clinical practice guidelines and work alongside government, consumers, industry and other stakeholders to strengthen relevant policy.

Support for NICM HRI as an independent national agency for policy development and research leadership in complementary medicine remains strong.

Position Statements

Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University is spread over six campuses in Western Sydney. It has a dynamic research culture with multidisciplinary research undertaken across a range of areas including culture, society, health and the environment.

The University has been a long-term supporter of research and education in integrative and complementary medicine. The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (CompleMED) was established in 2001 and in 2007 was incorporated into NICM HRI.

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