Incidence And Outcome Of Stroke In Rural South Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,541.00
Summary
We propose to undertake a population-based study of the incidence, management and outcome of stroke (survival, disability, recurrent stroke) in geographically defined segments of rural South Australia and compare these with equivalent data, collected during the same period in a defined sector of metropolitan Adelaide. It is hard to over-state the value of this information for planning health services of many kinds for the next decade.
Determinants Of Area-level Inequalities In Colorectal Cancer Survival: A Multilevel Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,191.00
Summary
Survival times for people diagnosed with colorectal cancer depend on where people live; typically lower in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged areas. However we know very little about why these inequalities exist. This study, the first of its type in Australia, examines how much of the survival inequalities are due to the characteristics of individuals, and how much is due to the characteristics of the area itself. This will increase our capacity to intervene to reduce these inequalities
Blue Mountains Cohort Study: Incidence Of Eye Disease, Hearing Loss And Other Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$813,250.00
Summary
The proposed study aims to determine the cumulative 10-year incidence and progression of the major eye diseases that threaten vision in older Australians, including age-related maculopathy, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The cumulative 5-year incidence of age-related hearing loss and prevalence of loss of smell will also be determined. The study will assess risk factors and associations with these diseases, using information collected at the baseline, 5-year and 10-year examination ....The proposed study aims to determine the cumulative 10-year incidence and progression of the major eye diseases that threaten vision in older Australians, including age-related maculopathy, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The cumulative 5-year incidence of age-related hearing loss and prevalence of loss of smell will also be determined. The study will assess risk factors and associations with these diseases, using information collected at the baseline, 5-year and 10-year examinations on medical history, ocular factors, vascular disease, smoking, diet, plus environmental and blood factors. The study aims to assess the impact of these sensory impairments on measures of dependence, quality of life, general health, age-related cognitive impairment, depression and on mortality. The study will be conducted in Katoomba on the cohort of residents from two postcode areas who originally attended the Blue Mountains Eye Study during the period 1992-4. Examinations will commence by May, 2002 and be completed by April, 2004. We hope to examine 2,032 of the original cohort of 3,654 people. This project will build on the data already collected by the Blue Mountains Eye Study, one of the most successful community surveys conducted in Australia. The 10-year follow-up period will provide increased statistical power and precision to assess the role of possible risk factors for eye disease already identified by the earlier baseline and 5-year studies of this population. The hearing component of the study will provide the first longitudinal data on hearing loss from a large older Australian population.Read moreRead less
Maternal Health After Childbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study Of 1900 Nulliparous Women Recruited In Early Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,150.00
Summary
Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new pro ....Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new problems in pregnancy, or after childbirth. This involves following women having a first child and measuring their health in pregnancy and the first year after birth. 1900 women having a first birth will be recruited to the study in early pregnancy, and followed up until 18 months after the birth. A major aim of the study is to provide stronger evidence about the role of pregnancy and birth factors in physical health problems after birth. In particular, the study will examine the contribution of method of delivery to pelvic floor disorders (urinary and anal incontinence, perineal pain and sexual problems). The study will also examine reasons why many women choose not to discuss physical and emotional health problems with health professionals in the postnatal period. The influence of cultural, social and economic factors on health service use and disclosure of maternal health problems will be explored. The study will provide the first Australian data on new health problems experienced for the first time after childbirth, and the extent to which pregnancy, labour and birth contribute to subsequent ill-health. The findings will provide stronger evidence on which to base the care of women during childbirth,development and evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies, and information to women and their families regarding the risks of obstetric procedures, such as caesarean section and vaginal birth assisted with forceps.Read moreRead less
Osteoporosis is a major and increasing public health problem. Fracture, the ultimate consequence of osteoporosis is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and economic costs. The Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, starting in 1989, with over 2000 women and men, is one of the longest running epidemiological studies in osteoporosis worldwide. It has been at the forefront of epidemiological advances in osteoporosis. It has identified osteoporotic fracture risks including low bone dens ....Osteoporosis is a major and increasing public health problem. Fracture, the ultimate consequence of osteoporosis is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and economic costs. The Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, starting in 1989, with over 2000 women and men, is one of the longest running epidemiological studies in osteoporosis worldwide. It has been at the forefront of epidemiological advances in osteoporosis. It has identified osteoporotic fracture risks including low bone density and bone loss, muscle weakness and postural instability, as well as the extent of the problem in men, and the significant costs, ill-heath and mortality associated with fracture. Despite the clarification of risk factors over the past decade, there are significant gaps in knowledge about osteoporosis, particularly in the accurate prediction of fracture risk and in identification of factors related to fracture-associated mortality and survival post fracture. Although bone density is one of the best predictors of fracture risk, it incompletely discriminates between those who will fracture from those who will not. Although a number of clinical risk factors, and other measures of bone strength, such as quantitative ultrasound and geometry, have been shown to be independent predictors of fracture risk, it is not clear that these measures can be integrated with BMD to improve fracture prediction. The aim of the current study, is to develop and validate models using bone density, other measures of bone strength and clinical parameters that will more accurately predict fracture risk and mortality following fracture in older men and women. The more precise identification of those at high risk of fracture and at risk for poor outcomes following fracture will provide a rational basis for the development of more cost effective interventions for prevention of fracture and its associated morbidity and mortality.Read moreRead less
Psychosocial Disability And Return To Work In Younger Stroke Survivors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,216.00
Summary
Each year about 12,000 Australians of working age survive a stroke. These younger survivors have responsibility for generating an income or providing care for families and state that their main objective is to return to work for financial reasons and to help rebuild confidence and independence. This observational 3 year study will determine thefactors are associated with returning to work, improving the wellbeing of thousands of stroke survivors and their families using multivariate regression.
Investigating The Application Of Population Data To Improve Maternal And Child Health Services In Two Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,281.00
Summary
This project will contribute to the understanding of how routinely collected population health data relate to remote Aboriginal communities and how such data can be used in two field sites. Population data are widely used, but the opportunity to investigate these matters is limited. The nesting of this study within a larger project aimed at improving health services for mothers and babies provides a unique opportunity to investigate aspects of applying macro level data at a local level.
The National Survey of Adult Oral Health will interview and dentally examine 7,500 people aged 15 or more across all States and Territories of Australia. It will provide a national snap-shot of the nation's oral health, including levels of tooth loss, dental decay and gum disease. The survey, to be conducted in 2004-04, will be directed by researchers at the Australian Research Center for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Commonw ....The National Survey of Adult Oral Health will interview and dentally examine 7,500 people aged 15 or more across all States and Territories of Australia. It will provide a national snap-shot of the nation's oral health, including levels of tooth loss, dental decay and gum disease. The survey, to be conducted in 2004-04, will be directed by researchers at the Australian Research Center for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Commonwealth and State-Territory health departments. Occurring 17 years after the first National Oral Health Survey of Australia, this new survey will monitor changes in oral health among all Australians. The survey will identify groups at particular disadvantage in terms of oral diseases, and it will search for lifestyle and community-level hazards that increase the risk of oral disorders. The study will have a compare patterns of dental health among people born before and after the fluoride generation of adults born in the 1960s when most of Australia's capital city water supplies became fluoridated. The study has been designed to automatically capture national statistics on general health among the 7,500 study participants over the next decade. The researchers will use that information to study links that have been observed in other countries between gum disease and heart disease. Results from the survey will provide the basis for monitoring progress towards national health targets and provide information to help direct dental health services into the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Translational Public Health Research Addressing Complex Questions In Maternal, Perinatal And Indigenous Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
The health of women during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth is critical to the health and well-being of children. This research aims to improve understanding of the causes and consequences of poor maternal health and contribute to better informed policy and practice in maternity, early postnatal and primary care services. It focuses on 3 major themes: improving women’s health after childbirth; maternity and early postnatal care; and Indigenous women’s and children’s health.