NHMRC funding success for dementia researchers
10 July 2023
Western Sydney University dementia researchers are part of a cross disciplinary, cross institutional team that has secured $418,433 in funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in a targeted call for research into ‘Cultural, Ethnic, and Linguistic Diversity in Dementia Research.’
The project – Transforming inclusive multidomain dementia prevention lifestyle initiatives for culturally and linguistically diverse older Australians – will run co-designed pop-up brain health campaigns for Western Sydney's three most highly represented cultural communities (Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese) to drive dementia risk change.
Chief Investigator Dr Joyce Siette from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development said the project addresses an urgent health and industry problem affecting the nation.
“With an ever-increasing ageing population, we are challenged with providing best-practice, holistic dementia prevention initiatives that reach and engage with the diverse Australian migrant community. While Australia’s population is multiculturally and linguistically diverse, much research targeting dementia prevention does not address diversity challenges such as cultural and language barriers.
“By focusing our research on Western Sydney’s three most highly represented cultural communities, our research will increase the quality and availability of evidence that is representative of all members of the Australian community with dementia,” said Dr Siette.
Western Sydney University members of the project include:
- Dr Joyce Siette, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development; Translational Health Research Institute
- Associate Professor Freya MacMillan, School of Health Sciences; Translational Health Research Institute
- Associate Professor Genevieve Steiner-Lim, NICM Health Research Institute; Translational Health Research Institute
- Associate Professor Jed Montayre, School of Nursing and Midwifery; Translational Health Research Institute
- Dr Sandra Garrido, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development; Translational Health Research Institute
- Dr Diana Karamacoska, NICM Health Research Institute; Translational Health Research Institute
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise & International) Professor Deborah Sweeney congratulated the team on their funding success.
“This funding reflects Western’s commitment to addressing the escalating and complex challenges of the communities we serve and dedication to co-designed research that translates into policy, practice and solutions. We are proud to be at the forefront of research that embraces inclusivity and cultural sensitivity,” said Professor Sweeney.
The 2022 Targeted Call for Research: Cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity in dementia research opportunity aims to stimulate research that includes culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse individuals and is conducted in a culturally safe and appropriate manner.
