Prime Highlights:
University of Auckland awarded $8.3 million grant for respiratory illness research.
New tool will predict flu risks and help mitigate illness impact, focusing on vulnerable communities.
Key Background:
A collaborative research initiative led by the University of Auckland has received an $8.3 million grant to develop innovative tools for predicting and mitigating the impact of influenza and other respiratory illnesses. The funding, allocated for a three-year period, will support the development of a risk assessment tool designed to reduce the occurrence and severity of respiratory illnesses in New Zealand.
Each year, influenza leads to approximately 500 deaths in New Zealand, contributing to a significant burden on the healthcare system and economic productivity. Respiratory illnesses are the third leading cause of death in the country, with over 3,100 fatalities recorded in 2019 alone, according to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation.
The research project, titled the “Flu and Other Respiratory Infections: Risk, Resilience, and Response (Triple R) Programme,” aims to equip individuals, communities, clinicians, and policymakers with tools to assess and manage the risks of flu and related illnesses. This initiative, which will focus on achieving equity outcomes for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, Māori, and Pacific communities, seeks to empower New Zealanders to take proactive measures in preventing outbreaks.
Led by Professor Nikki Turner, Principal Medical Advisor at the Immunization Advisory Centre (IMAC) at the University of Auckland, the Triple R programme will build on the findings of the SHIVERS (Southern Hemisphere Influenza, Vaccine Effectiveness, Research, and Surveillance) programme. This programme, which has been studying influenza patterns since 2012, provided valuable insights, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Turner emphasized that the project will focus on developing a “risk and resilience” measure that will enable individuals and families to assess their susceptibility to respiratory illness. The goal is to create tailored interventions that allow higher-risk individuals and communities to take steps to protect themselves.
The project will also support ongoing research in collaboration with the University of Otago, Counties Manukau, and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). ESR has received additional funding for its own SHIVERS-VI project, continuing the research into respiratory illness prevention. Funded by Flu Lab, a body dedicated to advancing influenza prevention and treatment solutions, the Triple R project represents a significant step toward
improving public health resilience and reducing the impact of respiratory illnesses across New Zealand.
