ShadePlus: A Built Environment Intervention To Improve Park Usage, Physical Activity, Sun Protection Behaviours And Mental Well-being Of Park Goers And Residents In Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,292.00
Summary
This project will assess the effects of adding improved park amenities to promote increased park use, sun protection behaviours, physical activity and mental well-being among park goers and residents in disadvantaged suburbs in Melbourne. The study involving the park improvements are conducted in partnership with the Brimbank City Council form 2013 to 2015. It will use a natural experiment study design where measures of health related-outcomes are assessed before and after modifying the park env ....This project will assess the effects of adding improved park amenities to promote increased park use, sun protection behaviours, physical activity and mental well-being among park goers and residents in disadvantaged suburbs in Melbourne. The study involving the park improvements are conducted in partnership with the Brimbank City Council form 2013 to 2015. It will use a natural experiment study design where measures of health related-outcomes are assessed before and after modifying the park environment.Read moreRead less
Optimising Men’s Uptake Of FIT Screening For Bowel Cancer: A Population Based Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,522.00
Summary
Men are more likely to die from bowel cancer but are not participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening program to the same extent as women. The research group has devised simple messages that their previous research shows encourages men to use the screening kit. The team will compare the use of kits among men who get the Government’s usual invitations, with a group who receive invitations with the messages for men.
Centre Of Research Excellence On Sitting Time And Chronic Disease Prevention – Mechanisms, Measurement And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,657,874.00
Summary
Australian research has identified serious health consequences arising from the 7 to 10 hours of daily sitting that most people do, especially in relation to ‘diseases of inactivity’ – type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and breast and colon cancer – that are an unwelcome burden on individuals, families and health systems. This new research examines the practical feasibility and the preventive-health benefits of changing children’s and adults’ sitting time in schools, workplaces and the home ....Australian research has identified serious health consequences arising from the 7 to 10 hours of daily sitting that most people do, especially in relation to ‘diseases of inactivity’ – type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and breast and colon cancer – that are an unwelcome burden on individuals, families and health systems. This new research examines the practical feasibility and the preventive-health benefits of changing children’s and adults’ sitting time in schools, workplaces and the home environment.Read moreRead less
Unlocking The Health Effects Of Sitting To Reduce Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
This fellowship involves a series of studies that will fill gaps in evidence to inform national and international public health and clinical guideline recommendations on sitting time. It will provide crucial evidence on dose-response relationships, underlying mechanisms and the feasibility of making the relevant behavioural changes, providing more-precise evidence-based contributions to the development of public health policy and guidelines on sitting time.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Cognitive Health: Evidence, Intervention And Population Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,872.00
Summary
Cognitive health is essential for productivity at all ages. Common chronic diseases such as diabetes, and risk factors such as smoking, can reduce cognitive function and increase risk of cognitive decline. Our Centre aims to build evidence about the things that impact on cognitive health and lead to cognitive decline; to develop methods of reducing cognitive decline; and to measure the impact of cognitive impairment at the national level to inform the government on costs and planning.
To Investigate Rates Of Peritonitis In Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients In Australia And Perform A Pilot Study Aimed At Reducing These Rates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Overall aims: To establish how much variation in PD practice exists between renal units in Australia; to establish current practice in 8 units; to perform an intervention study in 8 units; to analyse registry data re peritonitis in PD patients; to conduct interviews with PD patients who have had peritonitis. Expected outcomes: To establish if practice variation is associated with peritonitis rates; to see if active guideline implementation leads to better peritonitis rates; to establish the reas ....Overall aims: To establish how much variation in PD practice exists between renal units in Australia; to establish current practice in 8 units; to perform an intervention study in 8 units; to analyse registry data re peritonitis in PD patients; to conduct interviews with PD patients who have had peritonitis. Expected outcomes: To establish if practice variation is associated with peritonitis rates; to see if active guideline implementation leads to better peritonitis rates; to establish the reasons why therapy fails.Read moreRead less
Increasing The Efficacy Of Web-based Physical Activity Interventions: Improving Website Promotion And Participant Engagement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$62,073.00
Summary
This project aims to test innovative ways to improve web-based physical activity interventions able to reach large numbers of Australians at low-cost. In particular the effectiveness of internet promotion, personally tailored advice in video format and a brief Skype counseling session will be tested. Findings will inform the next generation of interventions that have the ability to improve physical activity levels in a large number of Australians and reduce the prevalence of disease.
Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Video-delivered Intervention For The Early Detection Of Melanoma In Men 50+ Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,694.00
Summary
Unfortunately, men over 50 years are most at risk to die from melanoma. Skin self-examination, where a man inspects the skin of his whole body with the help of a mirror or another person, and rapid presentation to a doctor without delay if he detects a suspicious lesion has the potential to increase awareness for the skin and to improve early diagnosis. We want to assess if we can increase the rate of skin self-examination in men 50 years and over through a video-delivered intervention.
A Multi-component Intervention For Smoking Cessation Among Australian Male Prison Inmates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,500.00
Summary
The prevalence of smoking amongst the Australian prison population is much higher than that in the general community. Despite a perception that prison inmates are unlikely to give up smoking while in prison, a recent survey has found that many inmates have attempted to quit or have reduced the amount they smoke. The same survey reported that almost a quarter of male inmates were planning to give up smoking within the next three months. Depression and anxiety are common among prison inmates. Rese ....The prevalence of smoking amongst the Australian prison population is much higher than that in the general community. Despite a perception that prison inmates are unlikely to give up smoking while in prison, a recent survey has found that many inmates have attempted to quit or have reduced the amount they smoke. The same survey reported that almost a quarter of male inmates were planning to give up smoking within the next three months. Depression and anxiety are common among prison inmates. Research has shown that people with depression or anxiety problems are less likely to quit, and more likely to relapse, than smokers without these symptoms. For this reason there has been interest in incorporating antidepressant medications into quit strategies. As a group with a high prevalence of depression and anxiety, prisoners may benefit from an intervention strategy that includes an antidepressant medication. Prisoners are often poorly educated, on a low income or benefits, or from a lower socioeconomic or an indigenous background. Members of this disadvantaged group have been shown to be less likely to use preventive health services, such as smoking cessation programs. This research proposal represents the first large scale randomised controlled trial of a multi-component intervention for tobacco dependence amongst a prisoner population in the world. This project will compare the effectiveness of adding an antidepressant medication to counselling, nicotine replacement therapy, a coping with change package and referral to a Quitline. The proposed research follows a small pilot study of the feasibility of a similar intervention. It brings together the expertise of several people across Australia with experience in tobacco dependence and prison research. The results will inform future smoking interventions for prison inmates and offers a real opportunity to impact upon the health and well-being of some of the most marginalised groups in Australian society.Read moreRead less