1. 1 Building Australia’s research capacity in ageing: some personal thoughts Robin Batterham Chief Scientist Australian Government

2. 2 Assessing outcomes of past funding Much new funding added: –NHMRC –Backing Australia’s Ability What are the new success stories? Now: –Tight fiscal situation –Competition from other worthwhile causes

3. 3 Economic case for research: dementia 2001/02 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 $ Billion Australian (Constant 2001 dollars) Health costs, including residential care costs 2041/42 Source: PMSEIC working group on Brain and Mind disorders (2003) appendix 2 Costs to business of caregiver time, productivity loss and medical expenses

4. 4 The National Research Priorities (5 Dec 2002) An environmentally sustainable Australia Promoting and maintaining good health Frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian Industries Safeguarding Australia

5. 5 Priority goals for health research 1.A healthy start to life 2.Ageing well, ageing productively 3.Preventive healthcare

6. 6 Their characteristics … Clear pathway for Australian research Thematic and outcome oriented They maintain a diversified research portfolio Visible Pillars of strength

7. 7 Specific PMSEIC focus on promoting healthy ageing Vision: An additional 10 years of healthy and productive life expectancy by 2050 Value of a Mediterranean diet in reducing risk of heart attacks Implications for projected rising PBS costs

8. 8 Enhancing research capacity PMSEIC working group on Promoting Healthy Ageing recommended: 1.National multi-disciplinary network for healthy ageing research 2.Australian longitudinal study of older people

9. 9 Research in Australia: some personal thoughts Excellence Collaboration Pillars of strength Routes to end use Emerging opportunities from cross- cutting and multidisciplinary research