Through the improved understanding of the determinants of road injury, the identification of effective and efficient preventive strategies and how best to translate the research findings, this Fellowship will facilitate reductions in the burden of road injury in Australia.
Modafinil For Neurobehavioural Dysfunction In Sleep Apnea Patients Who Cannot Use Standard Device-based Treatments.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,830.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often caused by obesity and can result in fall-asleep car crashes. It is often treated by mechanical devices that keep the sleeping airway open. Unfortunately, around half of all patients cannot tolerate these treatments. We propose to help patients reduce obesity with a lifestyle intervention program whilst testing whether their daytime symptoms of sleepiness and poor driving ability can be treated with a wake-promoting drug called modafinil.
The Effects Of Mixing Alcohol And Prescription Drugs On Driving And Cognitive Performance: A Randomised Simulator Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,226.00
Summary
A large proportion of traffic accidents are linked to alcohol and prescription drug use. There is poor understanding of these drugs on driving performance, both alone and in combination with alcohol. This study examines the effects of commonly used prescription medications (diazepam and codeine) and alcohol, in combination, on driving-related skills and cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. The results of this study will inform future policy, and clinical and public health strategies.
I am an epidemiologist with a particular interest in injury prevention, injury data systems and safety promotion as they apply to the context of sports injury. I also contribut to the broager field of epidemiology, through the theoretical and methodilogic
The Relationship Between Fatigue, Sleepiness And Crash Risk While Driving
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,070.00
Summary
Driver fatigue is a major road safety problem that is currently managed by encouraging drivers to take breaks when they feel tired. Unfortunately we dont know whether drivers really are able to detect when they are too tired to drive safely or, if they can make this judgement, whether and what motivates them to stop driving. This research will look at driver awareness of fatigue effects and what indicators and motivators can be used to encourage them to respond to signs of impaired driving.
Risk Factors For Serious Farm-work Related Injury Among Adult Males
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,930.00
Summary
This study addresses occupational injury among male adult farm workers. The health and safety performance of agricultural industries is among the worst in Australia. A recently published study of work-related fatalities from 1989 to 1992 found that rural industries ranked third, with a fatality rate 3-4 times that for all industries. The rural industries accounted for 80 deaths annually. Best estimates place the cost of farm injury between $0.5 and $1.29 billion per year. This study is designed ....This study addresses occupational injury among male adult farm workers. The health and safety performance of agricultural industries is among the worst in Australia. A recently published study of work-related fatalities from 1989 to 1992 found that rural industries ranked third, with a fatality rate 3-4 times that for all industries. The rural industries accounted for 80 deaths annually. Best estimates place the cost of farm injury between $0.5 and $1.29 billion per year. This study is designed to contribute to farm injury prevention by: (1) identifying factors associated with a higher risk of serious injury among adult farm workers and (2) determining the proportions of the farm workforce who are exposed to various injury risks. The study will recruit 300 seriously injured or killed farm workers from regional Victoria and collect information about themselves, their working life and the property on which they work. This information will be compared with 600 randomly selected farm workers who are not seriously injured to determine which personal, work and environmental factors place farm workers at higher risk of injury. The study will lead to the development of new or more refined prevention strategies and programs. A study of this kind has not been conducted before in Australia and would contribute to a continuing scientific basis for selection of interventions for farm injury and targeting of prevention programs, at a time of increasing momentum in agricultural health and safety.Read moreRead less
Development Of An Evidence-based Framework To Guide Intervention Development For Off-road Motorcyclists.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$72,974.00
Summary
Off-road motorcycle and ATV riding are popular recreations in Australia, particularly in rural areas. Approximately half of all motorcycle hospital admissions occur off public roads. Unlike on-road riders, little targeted research has been undertaken. The current project aims to profile the characteristics of off-road riders and their crashes, review related strategies to reduce injury, and develop a specific intervention framework.