Social Inclusion and Exclusion Among Australia's Children: A Spatial Perspective. Numerous studies have shown that socio-economic disadvantage experienced by children has major adverse effects on health and well-being that persist for the rest of their lives. This project will deliver major national benefits by providing quantitative evidence and analysis of the current spatial distribution of various forms of disadvantage and social exclusion among Australia's children and of any changes to the ....Social Inclusion and Exclusion Among Australia's Children: A Spatial Perspective. Numerous studies have shown that socio-economic disadvantage experienced by children has major adverse effects on health and well-being that persist for the rest of their lives. This project will deliver major national benefits by providing quantitative evidence and analysis of the current spatial distribution of various forms of disadvantage and social exclusion among Australia's children and of any changes to these spatial patterns during the past 15 years. This enhanced evidence base will assist all levels of government in decisions about needs-based planning of government services and in the development of possible policy responses. Read moreRead less
An Investigation into Suicidal Behaviours by Males during the Process of Marital and De Facto Separation. The project has a likelihood of reducing rates of fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour by high-risk groups such as males aged 25 - 44, and growing Australian populations such as the separated/divorced. The anticipated saving of lives, injuries, and mental distress is expected to achieve substantial and sustainable cutback in individual, corporate and public expenditure on mental health, i ....An Investigation into Suicidal Behaviours by Males during the Process of Marital and De Facto Separation. The project has a likelihood of reducing rates of fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour by high-risk groups such as males aged 25 - 44, and growing Australian populations such as the separated/divorced. The anticipated saving of lives, injuries, and mental distress is expected to achieve substantial and sustainable cutback in individual, corporate and public expenditure on mental health, injury control and suicide prevention by government, community and corporate agencies. Time and personnel resources utilised by the police, ambulance, coroner, hospital, and insurance departments can be diverted from highly preventable suicides to other areas. Read moreRead less
Managing tensions in professional statutory practice: Living and working in rural and remote communities. Delivering essential health, education and human services in rural and remote communities remains a critical problem for Australia . When professionals have mandatory responsibilities (in child protection, law enforcement or mental health matters), tensions can arise between workers and the community in which they live. The study will offer solutions to the complex medical, legal and social ....Managing tensions in professional statutory practice: Living and working in rural and remote communities. Delivering essential health, education and human services in rural and remote communities remains a critical problem for Australia . When professionals have mandatory responsibilities (in child protection, law enforcement or mental health matters), tensions can arise between workers and the community in which they live. The study will offer solutions to the complex medical, legal and social issues that arise for different professional groups in the discharge of their duties. It will increase current knowledge about the nature of their roles and responsibilities in small communities, and about improving professional practice and retention, leading to improved service delivery and outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
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Pharmaceutical Promotion: Productive or Problematic? Pharmaceutical promotion is an issue of importance for all Australians. Pharmaceuticals are central to maintaining the health of Australians and with factors such as an ageing population and technological advances the centrality of pharmaceuticals is likely to be consolidated. A major future challenge will be how to provide pharmaceuticals efficiently, equitably and sustainably. Problematic pharmaceutical promotion such as 'disease-mongering' ....Pharmaceutical Promotion: Productive or Problematic? Pharmaceutical promotion is an issue of importance for all Australians. Pharmaceuticals are central to maintaining the health of Australians and with factors such as an ageing population and technological advances the centrality of pharmaceuticals is likely to be consolidated. A major future challenge will be how to provide pharmaceuticals efficiently, equitably and sustainably. Problematic pharmaceutical promotion such as 'disease-mongering' potentially compromises PBS efficiency and threatens sustainability. The proposed project represents a significant empirical contribution to understanding the impact of pharmaceutical promotion on the PBS and will make a significant contribution towards making the PBS sustainableRead moreRead less
Psychosocial and mental health policy in countries emerging from conflict and natural disaster: analysis of policy and program responses. International donor involvement in psychosocial and mental health policy and programming in complex emergencies has been plagued with controversy. With this project, Australian researchers will help build a much needed evidence base for psychosocial and mental health policy formulation and implementation. It will specifically enhance programming responses in ....Psychosocial and mental health policy in countries emerging from conflict and natural disaster: analysis of policy and program responses. International donor involvement in psychosocial and mental health policy and programming in complex emergencies has been plagued with controversy. With this project, Australian researchers will help build a much needed evidence base for psychosocial and mental health policy formulation and implementation. It will specifically enhance programming responses in conflict- and disaster-affected countries of the Asia-Pacific region, where Australia is devoting considerable resources and attention. Better insights into policy processes and the transferability of experience will maximise Australia's response and operational effectiveness, and will have immediate relevance in Tsunami affected areas.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the management of people living with chronic conditions: understanding the social space, that is, 'the consultation'. Promotion and maintenance of good health for people with chronic conditions assumes an effective consultation at a clinical meeting between health consumer and health professional. Whilst many health initiatives focus on length, format and content of the consultation, little is understood about the nature of the consultation itself, as a constructed and negotiated socia ....Enhancing the management of people living with chronic conditions: understanding the social space, that is, 'the consultation'. Promotion and maintenance of good health for people with chronic conditions assumes an effective consultation at a clinical meeting between health consumer and health professional. Whilst many health initiatives focus on length, format and content of the consultation, little is understood about the nature of the consultation itself, as a constructed and negotiated social space.
This study aims to explore and understand the social space that is "the consultation" between people living with chronic conditions and health professionals. It has potential to not only challenge assumptions about what the consultation is, or can be, but also to meet significant challenges posed by the management of chronic conditions.Read moreRead less
Beyond psychopathology: Pathways to suicide in mentally well young adult males. Increased knowledge of risk factors for suicide among mentally well males can lead to better informed preventive health policies, earlier intervention and community education. The tragic impacts of suicide lead to long-term societal problems which result in disconnection and alienation, particularly for those who are left behind; findings from this study will assist development of initiatives aimed at increasing soci ....Beyond psychopathology: Pathways to suicide in mentally well young adult males. Increased knowledge of risk factors for suicide among mentally well males can lead to better informed preventive health policies, earlier intervention and community education. The tragic impacts of suicide lead to long-term societal problems which result in disconnection and alienation, particularly for those who are left behind; findings from this study will assist development of initiatives aimed at increasing social connectedness and awareness. Also, males compose the predominant workforce in Australia and the costs saved as a result of effective prevention initiatives may be enormous, given that economic costs to suicide are estimated at 900 million dollars annually. Read moreRead less