Genetics, big data and modelling to drive cardiovascular policy and practice decisions in Australia

Dr Ellie Paige, The Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research

2023 Future Leader Fellowship - Level 1

Years funded: 2024 - 2027

Heart disease and stroke are leading killers. Although they are highly preventable with timely intervention, 76% of Australians aged 45 to 74 years old and at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke are not receiving best-practice, lifesaving treatments. Evidence is also lacking to inform many aspects of heart disease prevention guidelines. Working with end-users and partners, and harnessing innovations in genetics, big data and modelling, this research program will drive changes in implementation by:

1. Leveraging novel genetic risk scores and large-scale data, to improve the prediction of heart attacks and stroke – increasing the accuracy of detecting those more and less likely to develop heart attack or stroke and enabling better targeting of existing interventions; and
2. Developing an enduring and adaptable Australian heart disease and stroke model to generate evidence on the benefits and costs of interventions and preventive strategies to improve policy and practice decisions.