Metal emissions from petrol and the future health of children. We aim to determine the contribution of manganese, lead, and other metal emissions from motor vehicles to the environment and exposure of
children. Manganese is of potential concern because of (a) its recent
introduction as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in
Australia as a fuel additive to replace lead and (b) the lack of information on environmental levels, exposure, and long-term health effects, especially in ....Metal emissions from petrol and the future health of children. We aim to determine the contribution of manganese, lead, and other metal emissions from motor vehicles to the environment and exposure of
children. Manganese is of potential concern because of (a) its recent
introduction as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in
Australia as a fuel additive to replace lead and (b) the lack of information on environmental levels, exposure, and long-term health effects, especially in children. This project conforms with a Designated National Research Priority and is a collaborative project bringing together researchers from academia, CSIRO, industry, and the US.
Environmental Protection Agency.
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Sources, fate and exposure pathways for emerging persistent organic pollutants in Australia. Brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated chemicals have received much attention from media and environmental groups. They accumulate in biota and humans and levels are shown to be increasing. It is proposed they be included in the global treaty on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), recently ratified by Australia. This project aims to determine sources, fate and exposure pathways for these che ....Sources, fate and exposure pathways for emerging persistent organic pollutants in Australia. Brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated chemicals have received much attention from media and environmental groups. They accumulate in biota and humans and levels are shown to be increasing. It is proposed they be included in the global treaty on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), recently ratified by Australia. This project aims to determine sources, fate and exposure pathways for these chemicals with an emphasis on exposure to infants. This will provide information for risk assessment development and more effective management of these chemicals. Furthermore, the study's approach and results will contribute to a rationalization of the issues related to emerging POPs. Read moreRead less
Reducing child deaths among the poor in Asian cities: the cultural, social and institutional determinants of child survival. The urban poor experience more, and more variable, child mortality than richer compatriots. Although there are many contributing factors including material poverty, insanitary housing, inaccessible health services, and parental ignorance of good childcare, these do not explain the full extent of the inequities. A key factor is the interest and ability of poor households to ....Reducing child deaths among the poor in Asian cities: the cultural, social and institutional determinants of child survival. The urban poor experience more, and more variable, child mortality than richer compatriots. Although there are many contributing factors including material poverty, insanitary housing, inaccessible health services, and parental ignorance of good childcare, these do not explain the full extent of the inequities. A key factor is the interest and ability of poor households to use their resources, and those of the health services to protect their children's health. This project will use an anthropological-demographic approach in Dhaka and Jakarta to investigate the cultural, social and institutional factors influencing health beliefs and hence treatment decisions at the household level.Read moreRead less
A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type-2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision-making in first-time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed f ....A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type-2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision-making in first-time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed for longer particularly in communities where breastfeeding is not the norm. Increased support for breastfeeding women from family, community and health professionals is likely to reduce the distress reported by many new mothers. Strategic application of findings will lead to health gains from increased breastfeeding and translate into significant cost savings for the Australian health system. Read moreRead less
Maternal mental health and anaemia as determinants of infant health and development in resource constrained settings. A healthy start to life is an explicit Australian priority. Maternal health is a major determinant of the health and development of infants. This international collaborative project will contribute evidence about two maternal health conditions: mental disorders and anaemia, and their effects on infant health and development, through research in Vietnam where both are prevalent. ....Maternal mental health and anaemia as determinants of infant health and development in resource constrained settings. A healthy start to life is an explicit Australian priority. Maternal health is a major determinant of the health and development of infants. This international collaborative project will contribute evidence about two maternal health conditions: mental disorders and anaemia, and their effects on infant health and development, through research in Vietnam where both are prevalent. The findings will inform interventions to improve the health of mothers and infants in all resource-constrained settings, including among indigenous and refugee groups in Australia. It will advance Australia's international relations by strengthening a partnership with Viet Nam and contributing to a World Health Organization priority area. Read moreRead less
Emotion processing deficits in childhood: Risk for psychopathology and indications for clinical intervention. Mental health problems and antisocial behaviour cost Australia millions of dollars every year through the mental health and criminal justice systems. Families in rural regions of Australia are particularly disadvantaged in terms of access to clinical services. This research will examine and train emotion recognition skills and other developmental characteristics in children referred for ....Emotion processing deficits in childhood: Risk for psychopathology and indications for clinical intervention. Mental health problems and antisocial behaviour cost Australia millions of dollars every year through the mental health and criminal justice systems. Families in rural regions of Australia are particularly disadvantaged in terms of access to clinical services. This research will examine and train emotion recognition skills and other developmental characteristics in children referred for treatment for a range of behavioural and psychological disorders. Findings will lead to improvements in methods for early detection of child psychopathology with the potential for broad community implementation, and will contribute to the development of clinical protocols and treatment guidelines for early intervention and prevention. Read moreRead less
Individual, social and physical environmental influences on children's active transport and independent mobility. Childhood obesity is likely to have significant economic and social impacts on Australian society. Preventing further increases in this disease is crucial, particularly among children at high risk such as those living in rural or disadvantaged areas. The promotion of behaviours such as active transport may have a significant benefit for public health; however little is known about wh ....Individual, social and physical environmental influences on children's active transport and independent mobility. Childhood obesity is likely to have significant economic and social impacts on Australian society. Preventing further increases in this disease is crucial, particularly among children at high risk such as those living in rural or disadvantaged areas. The promotion of behaviours such as active transport may have a significant benefit for public health; however little is known about what influences active transport among children in rural or disadvantaged areas. This study will identify important factors influencing active transport and will directly inform strategies aiming to promote health and wellbeing, thereby creating a healthier generation of Australian children.Read moreRead less
Children's memory for traumatic events. Many children are exposed to negative and distressing events. Understanding the processes underlying memories of such events is critical, especially in the present world climate in which the Australian public is increasingly confronted with threats of terrorism and other negative world events. This research will contribute directly to understanding why some children develop maladaptive responses to major life events, and others appear to adjust with few ps ....Children's memory for traumatic events. Many children are exposed to negative and distressing events. Understanding the processes underlying memories of such events is critical, especially in the present world climate in which the Australian public is increasingly confronted with threats of terrorism and other negative world events. This research will contribute directly to understanding why some children develop maladaptive responses to major life events, and others appear to adjust with few psychological difficulties. The research will pinpoint better management strategies for children affected by trauma by improved understanding of how traumatic memories are developed, as well as identifying critical variables that are amenable to change early after trauma exposure.Read moreRead less
Social and health inequalities related to changes in drinking water in rural Victoria. This project will add significantly to knowledge about the role of water in health. Dental caries (decay) experience over an individual's life time is influenced by dental health in early childhood. Obesity and overweight in early childhood is also a predictor of later life obesity. Both these conditions reduce life chances and wellbeing for Australians and are costly for communities. Understanding why and how ....Social and health inequalities related to changes in drinking water in rural Victoria. This project will add significantly to knowledge about the role of water in health. Dental caries (decay) experience over an individual's life time is influenced by dental health in early childhood. Obesity and overweight in early childhood is also a predictor of later life obesity. Both these conditions reduce life chances and wellbeing for Australians and are costly for communities. Understanding why and how choices about drinks for children are made by parents using a longitudinal design will help to develop interventions and policies that support the use of water in preference to sweetened and acidic beverages. Read moreRead less
Preventing mental health problems in children: a population-based cluster controlled trial. The National Mental Health Survey (2000) found 1 in 7 children have externalising (aggression) and internalising (anxiety, depression) problems. Early mental health problems beget later problems with high costs to society, including clinical, remedial education and criminal justice services. Hence, early prevention is vital for national well-being and productivity. The few preventive early childhood progr ....Preventing mental health problems in children: a population-based cluster controlled trial. The National Mental Health Survey (2000) found 1 in 7 children have externalising (aggression) and internalising (anxiety, depression) problems. Early mental health problems beget later problems with high costs to society, including clinical, remedial education and criminal justice services. Hence, early prevention is vital for national well-being and productivity. The few preventive early childhood programs to date are limited in effectiveness and not truly population-based. The proposed parenting / family support trial aims to overcome these obstacles, by comparing and costing two approaches that can be implemented within whole communities. The trial will help clarify optimal primary care to prevent mental health problems early in life.Read moreRead less