Cross-sector investment backs digital health in diabetes, CVD and kidney disease

A $680,000 cross-sector investment is set to expand digital health solutions for complex care in the Northern Territory (NT), with Diabetes Australia and Lilly Australia partnering with Menzies School of Health Research to strengthen integrated care for First Nations communities.

Lilly Australia will contribute $430,000 and Diabetes Australia will contribute $250,000 to the partnership, enabling Menzies to expand its innovative work addressing NT’s leading health challenges, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. The funding will also invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce capacity through the establishment of two identified research positions based at Menzies.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the investment reflected a deep commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and delivering local, culturally safe services.

“Kidney health is key to ongoing diabetes care and is a key indicator of health and complication outcomes. Diabetes shouldn’t cost your kidneys.” Cain said. “It is completely unacceptable that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to be disproportionally impacted by diabetes. We’re proud to partner with Lilly Australia and Menzies School of Health Research to directly support communities where kidney, diabetes and heart healthcare is greatly needed.”

Working in partnership with government, community-controlled and private health services across the NT, Menzies has developed the Territory Kidney Care (TKC) system, a clinical information platform that integrates and synthesises health data from previously siloed medical records. The system is already used by more than 1,500 clinicians to support patients across the Territory.

A study published on the TKC system showed that it is “is highly cost-effective when it supports early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increases optimal management in diagnosed patients”. Modelling demonstrated that Scenario 3 (improved diagnosis and management) was most cost-effective at an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $96,684 per patient avoiding KRT, $30,086 per patient avoiding death. Scenario 1 (improved diagnosis) was less cost-effective, and scenario 2 (improved management) was the least cost-effective. The ICER per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained ranged from $3427 (scenario 3) to $63,486 (scenario 2).

The new collaboration will enable Menzies to further strengthen TKC’s capabilities, delivering technology-enabled models of care that improve coordination across health services. The enhanced platform is expected to be particularly valuable for people living with multiple chronic conditions, supporting a more integrated approach to care and better health outcomes.

Lilly Australia General Manager Manny Simons said the partnership demonstrated the value of collaborative action in addressing interconnected chronic diseases and persistent health inequities.

“No one organisation can solve the complex challenges of diabetes, kidney and cardiovascular disease. We are committed to supporting initiatives that address health inequities and improve access to more connected, coordinated care,” stated Simons. “This investment reflects our belief that locally led, evidence-based solutions can improve health outcomes and inform future models of care across Australia.”

Menzies School of Health Research Director Professor Alan Cass said the investment would build on the success of TKC while supporting efforts to improve outcomes.

“Too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory are impacted by diabetes, kidney and heart disease,” said Professor Cass. “TKC has brought together research, health service, government and community partners to develop a clinical decision support and data sharing platform to provide the best care to people with complex chronic disease. Together we are working to Close the Gap and reduce the ever-increasing number of people needing dialysis across remote Australia.”

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