The Institute’s researchers, along with other colleagues, have been granted a $1.6 million grant by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to further GeneEQUAL: equitable and accessible genomic healthcare for people with intellectual disability.
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, stated that “People with intellectual disability must have access to the care that meets their needs and supports them to lead healthy and active lives… It’s so important that, along with their families and carers, they are involved in research that will find better ways to deliver that care.”
The GeneEQUAL team will talk with people with intellectual disability, their families and with their doctors about genetic tests and genetic counselling. The project will write guides and resources so that genomic healthcare includes everyone respectfully, helps people make healthcare choices and helps people understand about their health conditions.
This project is part of a $5 million investment in four research projects to improve the long-term health outcomes of people with intellectual disability.