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Media Release

July 5 2006

UniSA wins $2 million to boost the health of an ageing nation

UniSA researchers have just won $2 million in funding to develop strategies for managing the health and well being of older Australians who are suffering from chronic illnesses. The project will focus specifically on developing guidelines to achieve the best possible outcomes for older Australians with common combinations of chronic conditions.

Collaborative funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Research Council will support the five-year project which is part of the federal government’s Ageing Well, Ageing Productively priority.

Lead researcher for the project, and Pharmacist of the Year, Professor Andrew Gilbert says this new research funding builds on UniSA Sansom Institute's existing research partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Veterans’ MATES project, which helps veterans and their doctors in the management of chronic medical conditions.

The Department is also a partner in this new research program and its focus on combinations of strategies that can be taken to protect the health and well being of older people and avoid adverse treatment outcomes, has the potential for enormous gains in quality of life.

“We know that in Australia today about 60 per cent of 65 year olds have two or more chronic conditions for which they are taking medications,” Professor Gilbert said. “And as the years go on, the complications mount, with 80 per cent of people 85 years or older having four or more ongoing medical conditions.

“That means is the regular use of medicines is almost universal in the older community and it is very common for older people to be using five or more medicines at the same time. In undertaking this study we hope to develop a model of care that will ensure people are using combinations of medications and other treatment strategies in the safest and most beneficial way.

“If for example you are being treated for depression, heart problems and arthritis you are looking at a bit of a cocktail of medications. Some of the medicines used to treat arthritis can make the heart condition worse. We need to work with the patient to ensure firstly their safety and well being and to prioritise their health needs and explore the medication and other treatment options.”

Professor Gilbert said the research would provide a better understanding of the consequences of current patterns of care for older people with multiple chronic conditions and develop improved approaches to care in older Australians. It would also reduce the extent to which the elderly are placed at risk of adverse drug reactions and help patients, in partnership with their doctors, to achieve the best possible health and quality of life.

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