Improving Identification And Treatment Of Early-onset Behaviour Disorders In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,869.00
Summary
Most mental health problems begin in childhood and adolescence. Of these, oppositional-defiant and conduct problems in childhood are the most common precursor of all types of adult mental health problems. These children are the most common referral to child mental health clinics but little is known about which of these children will go in which direction i.e., good health, chronic antisocial behaviour, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, the psychoses. Progress in more accurately defining s ....Most mental health problems begin in childhood and adolescence. Of these, oppositional-defiant and conduct problems in childhood are the most common precursor of all types of adult mental health problems. These children are the most common referral to child mental health clinics but little is known about which of these children will go in which direction i.e., good health, chronic antisocial behaviour, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, the psychoses. Progress in more accurately defining subgroups of these children would have huge implications for early intervention for mental health problems in our community. This project proposes the first large scale analysis of genetic distributions through to behavioural and treatment factors that characterise and differentiate a large representative sample of children with conduct problems. The project will test a model of child psychopathology that links genotype, via environmental risk and emotion processing problems, to an improved diagnostic-phenotypic model for treatment of the major childhood disorder. Clinical research activities will be structured into three intersecting arms: first, identifying the genetic and behavioural subtypes of early-onset conduct problems; second, innovative treatments for these children, and third, the dissemination of findings to these children and their families via the health care system. The research will build new collaborations between established and internationally recognised clinical research teams in childhood mental health, biological psychiatry, genetics and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Statewide Network (CAMHSNET). CAMHSNET have specific responsibilities to NSW Health for expert advice and input on the development of child mental health services directions, dissemination, training, and effectiveness research.Read moreRead less
Fluoridation Of Water Supplies In Remote Indigenous Communities In The NT: Requirements, Feasibility & Cost Effectivenes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$72,559.00
Summary
The project has two major objectives: 1) to identify Indigenous communities that are likely to benefit most from fluoridation of the water supply, and 2) to examine the feasibility and impact of introducing a small scale fluoridation plant into at least one community. The first will be achieved through accurately mapping natural levels of fluoride in the water supply of Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory, and examining the oral health status of children in these communities. Th ....The project has two major objectives: 1) to identify Indigenous communities that are likely to benefit most from fluoridation of the water supply, and 2) to examine the feasibility and impact of introducing a small scale fluoridation plant into at least one community. The first will be achieved through accurately mapping natural levels of fluoride in the water supply of Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory, and examining the oral health status of children in these communities. The second will be achieved by installing a fluoridation plant in one or more communities that have been lobbying for fluoridation of their water supplies, and monitoring the maintenance requirements and costs of the plant, and the changes in dental health status in school children over a period of two to three years.Read moreRead less
EuropeaN Energy Balance Research To Prevent Excessive Weight Gain Among Youth: The ENERGY Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,209.00
Summary
The objective of the ENERGY project is to examine the influence of existing programs on health behaviours in different populations and settings in order to develop an evidence and theory-based approach for promoting physical activity and healthy eating among youth in transition from childhood to adolescence. The results of this project will be translated into practical strategies and knowledge that can be used by schools, policymakers, health professionals and the general public. The ENERGY proj ....The objective of the ENERGY project is to examine the influence of existing programs on health behaviours in different populations and settings in order to develop an evidence and theory-based approach for promoting physical activity and healthy eating among youth in transition from childhood to adolescence. The results of this project will be translated into practical strategies and knowledge that can be used by schools, policymakers, health professionals and the general public. The ENERGY project involves a multidisciplinary team of investigators from 10 European countries and Australia (Deakin University; DU). DU will participate in two of the 10 work packages (WP) in the proposal. The aim of WP3 is to identify the personal, social and physical environmental determinants in family and school of children’s physical activity and healthy eating. The aim of WP5 is to identify moderators and mediators of successful interventions to prevent obesity among children aged 10-12 years.Read moreRead less
SEARCH - Study Of Environment On Aboriginal Resilience And Child Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,114,618.00
Summary
The SEARCH program of research investigates the relationship between environmental determinants of health in a cohort study with five year follow up involving 800 urban NSW Aboriginal families with approximately 2000 children aged 0-17. A subset of 480 families will be recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of the impact of a health broker on (i) improving treatment of otitis media, and (ii) a feasibility study of an intervention to improve housing in 50 households. These two ....The SEARCH program of research investigates the relationship between environmental determinants of health in a cohort study with five year follow up involving 800 urban NSW Aboriginal families with approximately 2000 children aged 0-17. A subset of 480 families will be recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of the impact of a health broker on (i) improving treatment of otitis media, and (ii) a feasibility study of an intervention to improve housing in 50 households. These two studies will form the basis of an urban Aboriginal cohort study spanning 20 years with funding from alternate sources.Read moreRead less
Building Evidence-based Research And Practice In South East Asia: Impact On Pregnancy And Childbirth Care And Outcomes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,354,337.00
Summary
Disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth are a major health issue in SE Asia. They represent one of the biggest health risk differences between the developed and developing world. By establishing a network of researchers and teachers of evidence-based health care across four SE Asian countries supported from Australia, this collaborative project aims to improve the clinical practice of treating pregnancy and childbirth related disorders and the health outcomes of mothers and infants in SE A ....Disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth are a major health issue in SE Asia. They represent one of the biggest health risk differences between the developed and developing world. By establishing a network of researchers and teachers of evidence-based health care across four SE Asian countries supported from Australia, this collaborative project aims to improve the clinical practice of treating pregnancy and childbirth related disorders and the health outcomes of mothers and infants in SE Asia.Read moreRead less
Early Influences Of Obesity And Fat Patterning In Children:critical Periods, Environmental Determinants, And Socio-cultu
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,152,711.00
Summary
Childhood obesity is an escalating public health problem both internationally and within Australia. Rates of childhood obesity in Australia are at one of the highest amongst developed nations. 25% of Australian children are currently overweight or obese. Obesity is a strong risk factor for chronic disease. In children, obesity is of concern because it is highly likely to persist and, during childhood, contributes to serious physical and mental health problems. A quarter of Australian children ar ....Childhood obesity is an escalating public health problem both internationally and within Australia. Rates of childhood obesity in Australia are at one of the highest amongst developed nations. 25% of Australian children are currently overweight or obese. Obesity is a strong risk factor for chronic disease. In children, obesity is of concern because it is highly likely to persist and, during childhood, contributes to serious physical and mental health problems. A quarter of Australian children are now carrying excess body fat. Because of these factors, prevention of obesity is paramount because success of current treatment options is limited and does not last. Especially harmful forms of fatness may originate in early life - the tendency to store fat in the abdominal region and the tendency to accrete fat rather than muscle (at any body size). For this reason, the early life determinants of obesity deserve special attention, even in the presence of society-wide factors conducive to obesity. Professor Moore and a group of researchers from the University of Adelaide will test the proposition that pre-birth and infancy is a ‘critical period’ for the development of obesity. The group aims to investigate whether there is a distinct period in early life for acquiring the predisposition to harmful forms of fatness. The project also aims to identify practical opportunities for prevention, focusing on mothers and their infants.Read moreRead less