Rally for Research to hit Brisbane streets

Rallies continue to gain support to put a halt to any funding cuts to medical and health research.

Researchers in Brisbane will be taking part in a rally to show their support for a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the impact of federal funding cuts to medical and health research.

The Rally For Research, to be held today, follows similar rallies in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide that attracted more than 7000 people.

The researchers are concerned about the "considerable impact" the reduced funding will have on all Australians.

"Medical research provides an increased understanding of disease and susceptibility, and leads to the development of better diagnostics, preventative treatments and new therapeutics," said Professor Lyn Griffiths, the director of the Griffith Health Institute.

"This leads to Australians being able to lead longer and more productive lives with associated economic benefits including lower health care costs," she said in a statement.

Professor Griffiths said continued financial support from the federal government is vital if researchers are going to address the challenges facing Australians.

Griffith Health Institute receives funding through the National Health and Medical research Council and is using the funds in research for heart disease, anti-cancer drug development and to establish Australia's first centre of Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients.

AAP

Get the news delivered straight to your inbox

Receive the top stories in our weekly newsletter Sign up now