Telethon Kids Institute awarded more than $11 million to support vital health projects

Researchers from the Telethon Kids Institute have been awarded more than $11 million to support vital child health projects, under the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

One of the projects is a major national expansion of a program to improve physical activity levels of children at early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres, along with community-led research improving treatments for rheumatic heart disease (RHD), and an investigation into the effectiveness of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The ECEC program, Play Active, seeks to improve the physical activity levels of children at ECEC services, and was piloted in WA. The $1.7 million in funding will allow the program to expand nationally, led by Associate Professor Hayley Christian.

“Play Active provides services with clear, evidence-informed guidance on the amount of physical activity, screen and sedentary time children should have whilst attending ECEC,” Associate Professor Christian said.

“It also provides training and resources to support educators turn the Play Active policy into action. By providing children with many energetic play opportunities throughout the day, it boosts their physical activity levels enabling happy healthy kids.”

Play Active is led by Telethon Kids in collaboration with UWA, The University of Queensland, and the University of South Australia, in partnership with a host of organisations including Cancer Council WA, YMCA WA, Australian Childcare Alliance WA, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Goodstart Early Learning and Early Childhood Australia.