The major national health issues outlined below are NHMRC's health priorities for the 2024–2027 triennium.
Under the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992, the CEO is required to identify major national health issues likely to arise in the coming year and beyond.
NHMRC reviews its priorities every three years. In identifying health priorities, the CEO takes into consideration other Australian Government priorities and activities, including Australia’s national science and research priorities, and the MRFF strategy and priorities. It also considers where NHMRC activity can build on or contribute to these activities, as well as unique areas of focus.
In determining NHMRC's health priorities, the CEO consults with NHMRC’s Council, its committees and the Minister, and considers the role of NHMRC within Australia's health and medical research landscape. NHMRC's health priorities reflect broad health challenges and emerging issues where national capacity or capability in health and medical research is most needed, rather than specific diseases. They also reflect areas where NHMRC's role in promoting the highest standards in health research and care can contribute to addressing major national health issues likely to arise.
The health priorities for the triennium from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027 are outlined below.
NHMRC's health priorities for the 2024–2027 triennium
| Health priority | Overview |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health | Promoting wellness and health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. |
| Artificial intelligence in health | Promoting the integration of artificial intelligence into health and medical research, and its safe, ethical, equitable and effective application in health care. |
| Emerging health threats and emergencies | Identifying and targeting emerging health threats and emergencies, including working with partners towards a One Health research approach to climate change, health and our environment, biodiversity, and antimicrobial resistance. |
| Multiple long-term conditions | Identifying, preventing, and managing multiple chronic conditions and greater integration of living with multiple long-term conditions into research. |