The power of partnership
Since the Prevention Centre was established in 2013, we have provided a focus for chronic disease prevention research in Australia. We concentrate on working in partnership, with the aim of translating our evidence into practice.
Knowledge syntheses
In addition to our individual projects, the Prevention Centre conducts syntheses of knowledge across themes of interest to our policy partners. Our aim is to work with partners to make recommendations. We are producing a suite of user-friendly summaries on important topics to help enhance the value of our findings for policy and practice.
The syntheses are not traditional systematic reviews, but reviews of evidence across Prevention Centre projects and, in some cases, the work of our related NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence through the Collaboration for Enhanced Research Impact (CERI).
Dynamic simulation modelling
Dynamic simulation models are virtual, simplified representations of the real world where actions and reactions of individuals and communities can be explored.
Our dynamic simulation modelling projects provide policy makers with unique ‘what if’ tools to test the likely impact of a range of possible solutions before implementing them.
Taking a systems approach to preventive health
Our chronic disease research takes a systems perspective. Systems thinking is a way to make sense of a complex system by exploring its interrelated parts, boundaries and perspectives. Tackling the whole system means we can find ways of creating an environment that supports people to make better health decisions and avoid chronic disease.
The Prevention Centre delivers internationally significant knowledge about the application of a systems-based approach to the prevention of chronic disease.
Collaboration for Enhanced Research Impact (CERI)
This joint initiative between the Prevention Centre and a wide range of NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence aims to enhance the profile and impact of chronic disease prevention in Australia.
CERI provides the opportunity to enhance support for early- to mid-career researchers by sharing resources for capacity building and networking. Presenting a case for change as a unified group of research centres offers the opportunity to add weight to policy or funding recommendations and gives us a strong, united voice to advocate for prevention.
Preventive health research programs in Australia
The Prevention Centre currently have two programs of work, funded under separate funding arrangements.
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Pooled partnership funds research
In 2018, we were funded for five years by the NHMRC, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT Health, Cancer Council Australia, NSW Ministry of Health, Wellbeing SA, Tasmanian Department of Health, and VicHealth.
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MRFF Boosting Preventive Health research
In 2017, the Australian Government, through the Department of Health, provided us with $10 million for 10 specific research projects under the Boosting Prevention program, funded from the Medical Research Future Fund.
