Annual Report 2015–2016

Target 4: Conduct a one-day forum to identify evidence-practice gaps
Corporate Plan Conduct a one-day forum to identify evidence-practice gaps. Achieved
The NHMRC Translating Research into Policy and Practice forum was held on 17 May 2016 in Canberra,
with participants from a number of organisations, including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisation, the Lowitja Institute, the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and
Midwives, the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, the Australasian Cochrane Centre, the Department
of Health, and various Centres of Research Excellence.
PART 2 Performance Report
The aim of the forum was to identify evidence practice gaps and evidence policy gaps in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health. The stages of the life course (maternal and child health, children, youth,
adults and older people) were used to identify specific gaps in policy and practice for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people.
Outcome 6: Support research that will provide better health outcomes for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
NHMRC continued to achieve its commitment of allocating at least five per cent of the MREA to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander health research, allocating six and a half per cent in 2015–16. An example of the
importance of funding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research can be seen in NHMRC’s
Ten of the Best NHMRC Research Projects 2015, published in June 2016. This annual publication recognises
NHMRC-funded research projects completed in the previous year that have achieved results of particular
significance for the improvement of human health. The Indigenous Health Outcomes Patient Evaluation
project scrutinised the vast data held by modern healthcare systems to understand the factors influencing
disadvantage for Indigenous Australians. This research will translate into better disease prevention and
patient care for Indigenous Australians, as well as more effective health care spending.
In 2015–16, the PCIC provided advice to NHMRC on key issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander health research, including the development of Road Map III. This road map will drive the next stage
of NHMRC’s strategy to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research. This important
work will continue in the next reporting period.
50
Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016