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ECEC to share in $2.8 million of funding to solve nation’s most pressing health problems

Freya Lucas

Mar 20, 2019

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Researchers from the University of Newcastle have been successful in securing more than $2.8 million in funding to work towards finding solutions for some of the nation's most pressing health challenges, with nearly $100,000 going to an early childhood education and care (ECEC) research team.

As part of the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council funding, four Partnership Projects will be led by researchers in key areas such as smoking prevention, colorectal cancer treatment, child activity programs and mental health support.

Dr Serene Yoong and her team were awarded $941,274 to implement a ‘first-of-its-kind’ trial to support childcare services with implementing continuous free-play schedules. These implementation programs ensure children are engaged in outdoor play to improve child activity in an effort to prevent chronic disease. There is limited research measuring the effectiveness of these interventions, so the team will work with 96 childcare services to develop a model for other services.

Speaking about the funding, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Deborah Hodgson, said the outcome was great recognition of the diverse and world-leading research being undertaken across the region.

“This significant funding success is a great example of the impact work in our region can have not only on the nation, but worldwide,” Professor Hodgson said, congratulating the recipients on a ‘fantastic outcome’

Further information about Dr Yoong and her research interests may be found here.

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