NHMRC opened a Targeted Call for Research (TCR) into Participation in Cancer Screening Programs on 23 June 2021. Applications closed on 18 August 2021.
Increased participation in the 3 National Cancer Screening Programs (breast, bowel and cervical) can deliver significant benefits for the health of Australians and save lives. This is particularly true for groups of people who we know are more likely to be under-screened, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people from lower socio-economic population groups.
This TCR contributed to the Department of Health’s Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) Program Outcome 2, Program 2.4: Preventative Health and Chronic Disease Support. The objective of which is to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians by reducing the rates of preventable mortality and morbidity caused by cancer, chronic disease and substance misuse, including tobacco, alcohol, illicit and other drug use, poor diet and physical inactivity.
This TCR aimed to increase long-term participation in the 3 National Cancer Screening Programs – breast, bowel, and cervical.
Successful applications for this TCR aimed to:
- Identify and test innovative and new approaches to increase the number of Australians participating in cancer screening. This evidence may relate to interventions by health care providers, and/or other entities, including government and non-government organisations to change the behaviour of eligible participants.
- Build the evidence base to identify current actions or initiatives that have limited success or are not effective in driving Australians to participate in Cancer Screening Programs
Outcomes from funded applications are expected to increase long-term participation in the National Cancer Screening Programs and lead to improvements in health outcomes.
