Changing Patterns Of Work: Impacts On Physical And Mental Health And The Meditating Role Of Resiliency And Social Capital
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,140,342.00
Summary
This project will provide, for the first time in Australia, a detailed understanding of the impact of the changing forms of employment and unemployment on overall health. It will provide original insights into what aspects of the employment relation help or harm health, and on what enables some people to escape the harm that others experience. This will provide vital information to underpin policies designed to gain the benefits of a flexible workplace, with minimum harm to workers.
Potential Avian Influenza-induced Pandemic: Minimising Public Panic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,854.00
Summary
Communication appearing in the Australian media regarding a potential bird flu epidemic can serve to accurately and effectively inform the public OR misinform and contribute to panic and undesirable behavioural responses. The Australian Government has time to develop communication strategies and specific messages that can effectively convey desired information at different stages of the anticipated pandemic. This research team proposes to develop communication strategies (including specific mess ....Communication appearing in the Australian media regarding a potential bird flu epidemic can serve to accurately and effectively inform the public OR misinform and contribute to panic and undesirable behavioural responses. The Australian Government has time to develop communication strategies and specific messages that can effectively convey desired information at different stages of the anticipated pandemic. This research team proposes to develop communication strategies (including specific messages, media vehicles, spokespeople, images etc for the different target audiences) that government, medical authorities, NGOs and other relevant organisations can use to increase the public's understanding of the risk. Such strategies will ensure that we can minimise fear, refute misinformation the public may encounter from individuals (e.g., co-workers) or media sources, and enhance the likelihood of the public taking the recommended preventive and remedial actions should an Avian Influenza pandemic occur. Additionally, the research team will then utilise these communication strategies to develop evidence-based guidelines for communication strategies to be used in cases of similar serious health threats in Australia. Based at the University of Wollongong, the project team is a sophisticated and synergistically qualified team of experts. The team includes: a main media health promotions expert (Associate Professor Sandra Jones); two marketing communications experts, one of whom has an academic focus and the other a practitioner focus (Professor John Rossiter and Dr Max Sutherland respectively); a public health and medical expert in health behaviour change (Professor Don Iverson); a senior public health campaigns expert (Professor Chris Puplick), and an expert in communicable diseases and infection control education and programs (Professor Julian Gold).Read moreRead less
Enhancing Mental Health In Aboriginal People: Reducing Violence And Developing Resilience
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,771,151.00
Summary
This project aims to determine the best ways to improve the Social Emotional Well Being (SEWB) of the Aboriginal people of Broken Hill, Menindee and Wilcannia. This project will develop a culturally appropriate and evidenced based intervention to break the cycle of ongoing grief, mental illness, alcohol and other drugs and violence. The project will proceed in a number of interrelated phases including extensive community consultations and a baseline survey. The project will then implement and ev ....This project aims to determine the best ways to improve the Social Emotional Well Being (SEWB) of the Aboriginal people of Broken Hill, Menindee and Wilcannia. This project will develop a culturally appropriate and evidenced based intervention to break the cycle of ongoing grief, mental illness, alcohol and other drugs and violence. The project will proceed in a number of interrelated phases including extensive community consultations and a baseline survey. The project will then implement and evaluate an intervention program that provides a community and individual program that adopts evidence-based approaches and modifies them to be acceptable within Aboriginal communities. These interventions aim to break the cycle of violence and mental health problems by teaching adaptive skills to reduce violent behaviours and by providing mental health interventions that reduce disorders that contribute to violence.Read moreRead less
The Pacific OPIC Study - A Four Country Study Of Obesity Prevention In Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,600,580.00
Summary
Obesity is a rapidly escalating, worldwide epidemic. Many countries recognise the need to prevent obesity but there is insufficient evidence about what interventions work. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities (OPIC) Project will provide data on the effectiveness of a range of interventions to prevent obesity among young people in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Prevention research is particularly required in countries such as Fiji and Tonga because their prevalence of obesity is ....Obesity is a rapidly escalating, worldwide epidemic. Many countries recognise the need to prevent obesity but there is insufficient evidence about what interventions work. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities (OPIC) Project will provide data on the effectiveness of a range of interventions to prevent obesity among young people in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Prevention research is particularly required in countries such as Fiji and Tonga because their prevalence of obesity is extremely high. The interventions used in this project will be culturally appropriate and include at least 1000 young people in each intervention group. The outcomes of this project will be applicable to both low- and high-income countries. This project will lead to a greater understanding of the socio-cultural, policy, and economic contexts and provide crucial evidence for public health action to prevent obesity.Read moreRead less
Assessment To Service Outcomes - Care Pathways For Older Australians With Dementia, CVD And Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$656,029.00
Summary
The project aims to use existing data source to answer questions similar to �What happens to people after they have been assessed and recommended for aged care? in respect of service delivery for people with one of the three chronic conditions dementia, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. The project is to provide information about issues such as �bed blockers� and determine if the outcomes are different for people who have been assessed for aged care while they are in hospital. It is to chart ....The project aims to use existing data source to answer questions similar to �What happens to people after they have been assessed and recommended for aged care? in respect of service delivery for people with one of the three chronic conditions dementia, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. The project is to provide information about issues such as �bed blockers� and determine if the outcomes are different for people who have been assessed for aged care while they are in hospital. It is to chart changes in service use over time and examine factors that affect the type of care used by older people.Read moreRead less
Genomic And Proteomic Profiling Of Dendritic Cell Heterogeneity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,971,250.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DC) present antigens to T cells and regulate immunity and tolerance. DC are heterogeneous, comprising seven functionally distinct subsets. We will use genomics and proteomics to identify the plasma membrane and endosomal proteins that underpin this functional heterogeneity. Such proteins are potential targets for improved protocols of vaccination and prevention of autoimmunity. This project will thus provide further opportunities for high-quality research and commercialisation.
Phosphoproteomics: Metabolic And Exercise Signalling Markers For Sedentary And Trained Individuals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,222,500.00
Summary
It is widely recognized that diet and exercise have a major influence on the health and fitness. Sedentary lifestyles predispose people to obesity and the early development of age onset diseases. In the past decade we have gained considerable insight into the regulatory links between exercise and metabolism particularly involving the AMPK signalling pathway. This project is concerned with the phosphoproteome of trained and untrained skeletal muscle, fat and erythrocytes as a marker of fitness.