Just Accepted
This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.
Australia's research investment in the health of justice-involved populations
Abstract
Objective: To quantify and describe NHMRC funding for research on the health of justice-involved people (i.e., people who are incarcerated or otherwise under criminal justice supervision). Methods: We searched the NHMRC funding database for the period 2000 to 2022 using keywords and names of prominent researchers. Potentially relevant grants were independently reviewed by two authors for inclusion. Information about included grants was independently extracted by the same two authors. Results: Of $16.4 billion in NHMRC funding over the period 2000-2022, $38.7 million (0.22%) was for justice health research. Most grants were for research in Australia’s most populous eastern states and focused on mental health, substance use, and/or infectious disease. Only $4.5 million (0.03% of the total NHMRC allocation) was for research on the health of justice-involved children and adolescents. Conclusions: NHMRC funding for justice health research in Australia is out of step with the substantial health and economic burden associated with Australian criminal justice systems. Greater investment in independent, high-quality research in the justice health field has the potential to improve public health, reduce costs, and reduce health inequities. More funding for research on NCDs, disability, and the health of justice-involved children and adolescents is required.
AH25181 Accepted 01 September 2025
© CSIRO 2025
