Dietary Patterns, Cognitive Performance And Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Australia, The United States And Luxembourg: An International Comparison And Dietary Intervention Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,227.00
Summary
Ageing and the growing obesity epidemic are two contributing factors to cognitive decline. This research will identify dietary patterns that are associated with better cognitive function using data from individuals in Australia, the United States and Europe, and be used to guide dietary strategies to prevent or slow cognitive decline in at-risk individuals. Delaying or preventing the onset of dementia will save the Australian health care system billions of dollars.
Monitoring cardiovascular risk is a major part of the clinical workload both in general practice and specialty areas, but it is an under-researched area, reflected in a general lack of evidence based guidelines. My research will evaluate how to optimise the monitoring of cardiovascular risk both before and after starting treatment. By maximising clinical benefits for patients and minimising unnecessary resource use, my research will benefit patients, clinicians and the community at large.
Understanding Ethnic Differences In The Relationships Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors And Cardiovascular Disease In High Risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$151,374.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels) is the leading cause of death world-wide. However, the burden of this disease is significantly greater in some populations, including Indigenous Australians and South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis or Bangladeshis). This project therefore aims to improve our understanding of CVD risk in these populations, and to develop better clinical assessment tools that will assist in the early detection and management of CVD in these individuals.
Obesity, Pre-diabetes And Future Risk Of Diabetes: Maximising The Evidence, Minimising The Cost
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,136.00
Summary
The overarching aim of this proposal is to reliably determine how best to identify people at high risk of developing future diabetes. We will do this by using information on biological and behavioural risk factors that was collected on nearly 200,000 people many years ago and who were subsequently followed up to see who developed diabetes. This information will be used to create a risk prediction tool for spotting individuals most at risk of developing diabetes at some point in the future.
The proportion of the population over 65 years of age is increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death in this group of people. Angina, heart failure and stroke in elderly people often result in considerable disability and in many instances in a need for changed living circumstances such as admission to nursing homes. Consequently there is an important need to understand how to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases in elderly people. Although CVD oc ....The proportion of the population over 65 years of age is increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death in this group of people. Angina, heart failure and stroke in elderly people often result in considerable disability and in many instances in a need for changed living circumstances such as admission to nursing homes. Consequently there is an important need to understand how to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases in elderly people. Although CVD occurs much more frequently in older persons, much of the epidemiological information on CVD risk factors and risk estimation comes from studies of middle-aged populations. Recently there has been an increased focus on whether the established relationships hold or differ in the elderly. This has generated debate about the relative value and effectiveness of treating risk factors in elderly people. This study, which is based on comprehensive and long-term risk factor, mortality and morbidity data from the Busselton Health Study and Health in Men Study, will lead to a better understanding of classic and new CVD risk factors in older persons and will contribute positively to the debate about the relative value and effectiveness of attempting to modify risk factors in the elderly. Further, it will facilitate improved methods for CVD risk assessment in older people and hence assist in determining whether which preventive actions to implement in the elderly.Read moreRead less
Craig Anderson is a clinician-scientist, with specialist training in neurology and geriatrics, and an internationally-recognised epidemiologist and clinical trialist researcher. His work is dedicated to generating the highest quality evidence to improve the prevention and treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases related to ageing.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Towards a healthier food supply: achieving policy change and industry action. This research aims to identify mechanisms by which to improve the quality of the Australian food supply. The findings will have the potential to inform government and industry policies on healthier foods with the aim of decreasing chronic disease.