About HTLV-1 Research
The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Central Australia, located in Alice Springs, was founded in 2007 becoming the second health and medical research institute to be located in the Northern Territory and the first in Central Australia. It was established to help address the profound disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal people in central Australia and throughout the Northern Territory through scientific research that is rigorous, culturally appropriate and ethically sound.
The Human T-cell Leukaemia Virus Type-1 (HTLV-1) infection has been present at high levels for a very long time in Central Australia without any strategic action being taken for its control. The management of endemic HTLV-1 infection presents enormous and unique challenges to remote Australia, which require an integrated epidemiological, public health and clinical response that is controlled by affected communities.
After a decade of preliminary work and linking with international experts, we now have the tools, clinical and research expertise, and Indigenous governance frameworks in place necessary to make real advances in improving outcomes for people and communities affected by this ancient viral infection. The Baker Institute is leading a consortium of research partners in an HTLV-1 research program that is designed to determine the geographic extent of HTLV-1 in remote Australia, to undertake a detailed assessment of the impact of HTLV-1 infection on the health outcomes of Aboriginal Australians living in remote communities, to facilitate the development of clinical and public health guidelines for health care providers and people living with HTLV-1 and its complications, and to provide an overall community education and information framework for HTLV-1.
While HTLV-1 research at the Baker Institute places emphasis on the needs of people in Central Australia, our expertise in research spans many other jurisdictions and enables contributions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health spanning from major cities to the most remote communities in Australia and collaborations which address global Indigenous health.
We are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are engaged and in control of their own health. Our 'way of doing business' includes working with and empowering Indigenous community-controlled organisations. We also have a focus on facilitating employment and capacity building of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our organisation.