Immunisation Practice And Policy Development In Australia: Urgent Priorities In Prevention Of Infectious Diseases In Children, Adolescents And Pregnant Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
Our research aims to optimise protection for infants and children against serious infectious diseases causing death and disability, such as whooping cough, influenza and meningococcal disease. We will establish the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to improve protection against these infections. Our community research will determine the best ways to improve uptake of immunisation in children and in pregnant women to provide the best protection for infants and mothers.
Acute Respiratory Illness In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Australian Children And The Pathways To Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Dr Kerry-Ann O'Grady aims to establish a comprehensive research program addressing acute and chronic respiratory infections in Australian children in urban, rural and remote areas. Drawing on national and international collaborations, Dr O'Grady will undertake a range of epidemiological and clinical studies that will address burden, risk, pathways to chronic lung disease and novel interventions aimed at improving lung health.
Understanding The Factors Governing Susceptibility And Outcome In Childhood Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,122.00
Summary
This research seeks to understand why a minority of children are prone to severe and often life-threatening infections and inflammation. It focusses on infections both in preterm infants and in later childhood, which may also be relevant to understanding atherosclerosis. I am also interested in improving the health of recently arrived refugees, by conducting research that allows the development of evidence-based health interventions and developing national policy on refugee health.
Implementing, Evaluating And Translating Pragmatic Strategies To Prevent Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE), And Treat Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,038.00
Summary
Drinking alcohol when pregnant places the unborn child at risk of lifelong brain damage, that we call Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). We can prevent FASD by raising awareness of the harms of drinking in pregnancy, and supporting women not to drink. For those with FASD, treatment programs can help reduce learning and behavioural problems. Our research team work with communities and service providers to implement FASD Prevention and Treatment strategies, and raise awareness of FASD.
Improving Community Approaches For Common Childhood Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,602.00
Summary
Melissa’s end goal is community-based strategies that effectively prevent or manage common childhood conditions, which she addresses via four distinct yet unified programs of research (language-literacy, hearing loss, obesity, and early mental health-behaviour). All four programs are guided by long-term strategic plans that include advocacy and translation as central tenets. A further focus is research capacity-building in these areas via her substantial doctoral-postdoctoral programs.
Immunisation Safety And Adverse Events: Improving Our Understanding Of Causes And Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,223.00
Summary
As the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases declines, adverse events following vaccination become increasingly important for both public and providers. This fellowship aims to improve our understanding of the risks of vaccination, potential causes, including genetic predisposition and long term clinical outcomes. A range of epidemiological, clinical and genetics studies will be performed. All these studies are targeted to understand who, what, how and why vaccine reactions occur and what ca ....As the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases declines, adverse events following vaccination become increasingly important for both public and providers. This fellowship aims to improve our understanding of the risks of vaccination, potential causes, including genetic predisposition and long term clinical outcomes. A range of epidemiological, clinical and genetics studies will be performed. All these studies are targeted to understand who, what, how and why vaccine reactions occur and what can be done to prevent or manage them better.Read moreRead less
Understanding Typical And Atypical Development Of The Infant Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
This project will apply advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to understand how brain abnormalities in preterm infants relate to their functional impairments. It aims to: develop new software to easily and accurately measure infant brain structures and tissues; understand the neurobiological basis for adverse outcomes, enabling diagnosis of high risk preterm infants; and identify MRI biomarkers to assess interventions designed to give Australian babies a healthier start to life.
Improving Child Health Outcomes In Common, High Burden Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$279,895.00
Summary
As medical advances over the past 50 years have helped to reduce traditional childhood illnesses such as infections, behavioural, developmental and mental health problems have increased. These problems affect at least 1 in 5 Australian children yet the vast majority of problems go undetected and untreated. I propose to develop, trial and disseminate evidence-based approaches to common child health problems including mental health and sleep problems.