Understanding the health effects of landscape burning and biomass smoke in Australian towns and cities. Bushfires are increasingly affecting Australian towns and cities directly and indirectly from episodes of severe air pollution. An approach to manage bushfires is to reduce fuel loads by setting planned fires under stable weather conditions, yet this strategy is controversial because of community concerns about ecological sustainability and negative health impacts from smoke. The relative im ....Understanding the health effects of landscape burning and biomass smoke in Australian towns and cities. Bushfires are increasingly affecting Australian towns and cities directly and indirectly from episodes of severe air pollution. An approach to manage bushfires is to reduce fuel loads by setting planned fires under stable weather conditions, yet this strategy is controversial because of community concerns about ecological sustainability and negative health impacts from smoke. The relative importance of air pollution from planned and unplanned bushfires vs. wood heaters, agricultural burning and other sources of air pollution will be determined. Our study will enable evidence-based bushfire smoke management, help formulate national air quality standards and shape policies regarding biomass smoke and bushfire management.Read moreRead less
Bushfire smoke and the relationship between human and landscape health. A team of landscape ecologists, environmental chemists and public health specialists will determine the ecological causes and adverse health effects of different levels of bushfire smoke in Darwin. Darwin is an ideal setting for this research because the only source of air pollution is the high incidence of controlled and uncontrolled bushfires during the dry season causing variable air quality: a preliminary study found a ....Bushfire smoke and the relationship between human and landscape health. A team of landscape ecologists, environmental chemists and public health specialists will determine the ecological causes and adverse health effects of different levels of bushfire smoke in Darwin. Darwin is an ideal setting for this research because the only source of air pollution is the high incidence of controlled and uncontrolled bushfires during the dry season causing variable air quality: a preliminary study found a link between smoke pollution levels and asthma. The findings of the proposed research will contribute to improved fire management practices to reduce injurious smoke pollution events and contribute to setting appropriate national air quality standards.Read moreRead less
Identifying and controlling the source of Campylobacter and Salmonella in Australia. This project will identify the source of foodborne illnesses due to Salmonella and Campylobacter in order to inform food regulatory policy. The ultimate aim is to reduce the amount of foodborne disease in Australia.
Effectiveness and appropriateness of child restraints. This project aims to provide a definitive picture of the use, misuse and inappropriate use of child restraints in motor vehicles. It will evaluate the biomechanical and size deficiencies of current child restraints for the current population of children, and the implications for increased injury associated with these factors. This will provide a solid evidence base for improved child restraint design, education, and legislative changes.
Science of the Surf (SOS): The Development and Evaluation of a National Campaign to Reduce the Risk of Coastal Drowning. Australian beaches attract approximately 80 million domestic and international tourists a year and are an integral part of the Australian lifestyle. Each year, 58 people die and 563 people are hospitalised as a result of coastal drowning in Australia; many more are rescued by surf lifesavers. Many incidents occur when swimmers are caught in rip currents. Raising awareness abou ....Science of the Surf (SOS): The Development and Evaluation of a National Campaign to Reduce the Risk of Coastal Drowning. Australian beaches attract approximately 80 million domestic and international tourists a year and are an integral part of the Australian lifestyle. Each year, 58 people die and 563 people are hospitalised as a result of coastal drowning in Australia; many more are rescued by surf lifesavers. Many incidents occur when swimmers are caught in rip currents. Raising awareness about common surf hazards, such as rip currents, aims to minimise the risk of drowning. This research will promote and maintain good health and well being for Australians by delivering an effective drowning prevention intervention. In doing so, reducing drowning risk would save up to $187 million each year in health care costs.Read moreRead less
Understanding individual, workplace and system level influences on return to work in a changing Australian labour market. This project will identify where challenges arise in return to work after a work-related injury or illness for older workers and people with mental stress claims. The results of this project will help form the basis of policy and program changes to address these issues and enable these groups of workers to have better health and economic outcomes.
Effects of feedback and incentive-based insurance on driving behaviours. This project aims to examine the extent to which direct-feedback and incentive-based insurance modify a drivers’ behaviour. The project plans to apply in-vehicle telematics and to link information obtained from the technology directly to personalised safety messaging. The project then plans to assess the impact of this by calculating individual personal injury and the potential reduction to property damage insurance premium ....Effects of feedback and incentive-based insurance on driving behaviours. This project aims to examine the extent to which direct-feedback and incentive-based insurance modify a drivers’ behaviour. The project plans to apply in-vehicle telematics and to link information obtained from the technology directly to personalised safety messaging. The project then plans to assess the impact of this by calculating individual personal injury and the potential reduction to property damage insurance premiums. The study has the potential to profoundly influence not only the insurance industry by reducing individual risk and insurance scheme liability, but also deliver reductions in road trauma among the target population namely, young drivers.Read moreRead less
The unfolding story of the 2009 Adelaide heatwave: risk factors for mortality and morbidity. This project will conduct a case control study in Adelaide to explore the risk factors of extra health burden related to the 2009 heatwave. Given the prediction of more extreme heat events, this study will provide important information for policy makers and service providers to assist in the development of more resilient communities to climate change.
Design features for correct use of child car restraints. This project aims to minimise incorrect use of child restraints, which triple the risk of injury to children in car crashes. One in two children travelling in cars are incorrectly restrained. Using naturalistic and epidemiological studies, this project will characterise child restraint design features that minimise errors related to the real world interaction between restraint design, parents and children, and determine the effectiveness o ....Design features for correct use of child car restraints. This project aims to minimise incorrect use of child restraints, which triple the risk of injury to children in car crashes. One in two children travelling in cars are incorrectly restrained. Using naturalistic and epidemiological studies, this project will characterise child restraint design features that minimise errors related to the real world interaction between restraint design, parents and children, and determine the effectiveness of using optimally designed restraints. This research will help child restraint manufacturers to improve their products and design better child restraint systems, that reduce injury to children in crashes.Read moreRead less
Road safety and Aboriginal people. This study will involve an in-depth examination of factors underlying the high involvement in road crashes by Aboriginal people in Australia. Using mixed methods in six communities across NSW and South Australia it will inform development of new programs aimed at closing the gap in this important area.