A NATIONAL centre launched today will bring the benefits of genomics medicine to Indigenous Australians, who still have a life expectancy 10 years less than that of the general population.
"Eighty per cent of this life expectancy gap is due to chronic disease," explained Alex Brown, lead of The Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics (ALIGN) and Prof of Indigenous Genomics at the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian National University.
Brown is a member of the Yuin Nation and grew up on the NSW South Coast.
"Australia is on the cusp of a new era in personalised medicine that will bring deeper insights into common diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer," he said.
"ALIGN is a commitment designed by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people, to offer the benefit of genomic medicine to all," he shared.
"Its basic premise is 'nothing about us, without us'.
"This is critical to ensure equity is achieved in health outcomes," he added.
ALIGN will be governed by an Indigenous Council to ensure every 'gift' of DNA provided by Indigenous Australians is "treated with respect".
The alliance will see researchers from all the states address different health issues affecting Indigenous health.
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