May 2008 RDU online (pdf) - Rotary Down Under

The work of the
Australian Rotary
Health Research Fund
is making life better
for families. ies.
of the role of
the Helicobacter
pylori in ulcer
disease saves around $US600 to $800 million
annually in treatment costs. What the article
did not mention is that both were Australian
discoveries.
“We are often asked why Australia should
do medical research rather than simply import
it from overseas, as we do with so much else.
The answer is simple. We undertake research
to contribute to world knowledge. We have
less than .05 per cent of the world’s population
but do 2.5 per cent of the research.
“Research is carried out to ensure a broad
base of expertise in biological, behavioural
and social science. In this way, we can deal
with uniquely Australian problems. For
example, research into Aboriginal Health
will never be done overseas; it must be done
here. Conditions like melanoma and asthma
occur world-wide but are more common in
Australia than anywhere else. We do research
locally to provide us with local expertise.
“To respond to new diseases, on site
expertise is necessary – in terms of disease
containment, the Australian response to
AIDS has been outstanding. We have also
responded to old diseases – we lead the
way in reducing road traffic accidents,
deaths in men, we have been successful
in reducing heart attack and stroke, and
we have cut smoking rates in men from
70 per cent during World War II to under
30 per cent today!”
Professor Whitworth said the health and
future of Australian research and Australian
health care depends on recognition by all
Australians of the importance of research to
our culture and to our development.
“Science and research needs advocates.
Translation of research into practice may
take decades. Research needs long term
investment and long term commitment, and
it needs the advocacy of everyone in this
room,” she said.
NOTE: A full page advertisement providing
further information on the ARHRF’s new
Research Companion program appears
on page 3 of this issue of Rotary Down
Under. Further, the ARHRF’s annual fourpage
promotional feature is published
from pages 28 to 31. This feature is
testimony to the amazing range of ARHRF
research programs and sponsorship by
Rotary clubs, Districts, and individuals
around Australia. ■
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08/00475
Rotary Down Under, May 2008–––15