Environmental Risk Factors For Iron Overload-related Disease In A Cohort Study Of Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,936.00
Summary
Results published last year from our Melbourne HealthIron study of hereditary haemochromatosis (iron overload disease) show that almost one third of the 50,000 men genetically at risk of iron overload in Australia will develop symptoms of disease including fatigue, arthritis and liver damage. We will use data from the recent follow-up of the Health2020 cohort, of which HealthIron is a sub-study, to determine environmental risk factors for progression to disease in people with iron overload.
Germline Mutations In Mismatch Repair Genes: Prevalence, Risk Of Cancer, And Environmental Modifiers Of Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,750.00
Summary
Aims: 1. Develop a model that will predict who has a mutation in a group of genes that cause cancer 2. Estimate risk of cancer in people who have a mutation in these genes (carriers) 3. Determine if cancer risk in carriers can be reduced People who inherit a mutation in a group of genes called 'mismatch repair genes' are at increased risk of cancer, particularly cancer of the colon and rectum. If these carriers can be identified they can take preventive measures such as screening to reduce their ....Aims: 1. Develop a model that will predict who has a mutation in a group of genes that cause cancer 2. Estimate risk of cancer in people who have a mutation in these genes (carriers) 3. Determine if cancer risk in carriers can be reduced People who inherit a mutation in a group of genes called 'mismatch repair genes' are at increased risk of cancer, particularly cancer of the colon and rectum. If these carriers can be identified they can take preventive measures such as screening to reduce their risk of cancer and death. We will develop a model using data from the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CFR), the world's largest dataset of carriers and non-carriers which has already recruited and genetically tested over 4,000 families from Australasia, USA and Canada. The model will allow clinicians to predict who is a likely be a carrier based so they can be tested for the mutation. We know the risk of cancer is high in carriers, but we don't have precise estimates. We will use the Colon CFR applying sophisticated statistical methods required to answer this question. This data is critical for genetic counselling so appropriate decisions can be made by the patient and the doctor as to what preventive measures to take. We will also use the Colon CFR data to find out what how the carriers who develop cancer differ from those who stay cancer free using their completed lifestyle questionnaires which includes questions on diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, aspirin use, and oral contraceptive pill use. We may identify risk factors that carriers can avoid (or take up if they reduce cancer risk) to reduce their risk of cancer.Read moreRead less
Assessing maternal exposure to persistent toxic substances and risk of adverse birth outcomes. There are numerous sources of persistent toxic substances (PTS) and due to their long half life in the environment they can increase in concentration over time, increasing the risks of human exposure. Australia is a signatory to the Stockholm Convention and this project both assists in the meeting Australia's obligations but also addresses the important subject of the relationship between environment, ....Assessing maternal exposure to persistent toxic substances and risk of adverse birth outcomes. There are numerous sources of persistent toxic substances (PTS) and due to their long half life in the environment they can increase in concentration over time, increasing the risks of human exposure. Australia is a signatory to the Stockholm Convention and this project both assists in the meeting Australia's obligations but also addresses the important subject of the relationship between environment, health and risk. The study will be the first of its type to systematically measure maternal exposure and link the risk of adverse birth outcomes. It will significantly improve our ability to assess the impact of chemicals on health. It will also provide benchmark information for a use in national standard setting and policy development. Read moreRead less
The Role Of Bisphenol A In The Development Of Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,549.00
Summary
There is accumulating evidence to suggest that the environment we live in may be important in the development of chronic disease. This project examines a key environmental toxin Bisphenol A (BPA) and explores the role it has in the development of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this project, we will explore whether there is an independent relationship between BPA and the development of diabetes, CVD and obesity in humans in a prospective setting.
Risk assessment for environmental health in Adelaide based on weather, air pollution and population health outcomes. This is the first systematic assessment of the effect of climate variation and air pollution on population health in an Australian temperate region. It is one of the ARC's research priorities (PG 7: Responding to climate change and variability). The results will provide a more complete picture of association among air pollution, climate variability and population health in Austral ....Risk assessment for environmental health in Adelaide based on weather, air pollution and population health outcomes. This is the first systematic assessment of the effect of climate variation and air pollution on population health in an Australian temperate region. It is one of the ARC's research priorities (PG 7: Responding to climate change and variability). The results will provide a more complete picture of association among air pollution, climate variability and population health in Australia. They will also provide important information to policy-makers and communities for their relevant actions, including changes in resource management systems and the operation of these systems, a range of socioeconomic actions, infrastructure establishment, disaster prevention and emergency events response regulation, and health education and promotion campaigns.Read moreRead less
Prospective Study Of Birth Defects From Fetotoxic Agents In The Public Water Supply
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,036.00
Summary
Recent research in Australia & internationally shows that birth defects are more common in areas where mothers are exposed to poor quality drinking water, particularly when treatment chemicals known as trihalomethanes (THMs) are present. We will determine the risk that high THM levels pose to unborn babies by accurately measuring individual exposures to THMs & correlating these with adverse birth outcomes. The study will be in Perth where THM levels are very high in a number of suburbs.
Dynamic spatio-temporal approach to environmental health modelling. Maintenance and enhancement of environmental health (EH) is an important aspect of sustainable development (SD). There has been an increasing realisation that an appropriate modelling approach needs to be developed to measure and promote EH. However, a framework for the development of EH models to facilitate environmental management decision-making has not been attempted to date. This research aims to increase fundamental knowle ....Dynamic spatio-temporal approach to environmental health modelling. Maintenance and enhancement of environmental health (EH) is an important aspect of sustainable development (SD). There has been an increasing realisation that an appropriate modelling approach needs to be developed to measure and promote EH. However, a framework for the development of EH models to facilitate environmental management decision-making has not been attempted to date. This research aims to increase fundamental knowledge on the relationship between environmental exposures and community well-being, to develop a dynamic and systematic approach to EH modelling, and to assess implications of EH models in the planning of SD and environmental management.Read moreRead less
Development of Environmental Health Indicators in the Context of Sustainable Development. Protecting and promoting community well-being and population health is an essential aspect of sustainable development (SD). It is critical, therefore, to develop rigorous environmental health indicators (EHIs) to provide solid bases for the planning of SD and environmental management decision-making. However, a framework for the development of EHIs has not been attempted. This research aims to increase fun ....Development of Environmental Health Indicators in the Context of Sustainable Development. Protecting and promoting community well-being and population health is an essential aspect of sustainable development (SD). It is critical, therefore, to develop rigorous environmental health indicators (EHIs) to provide solid bases for the planning of SD and environmental management decision-making. However, a framework for the development of EHIs has not been attempted. This research aims to increase fundamental knowledge on the relationship between EHIs and SD, to identify a core and extended set of EHIs, and to assess implications of EHIs in the planning of SD and environmental management. A framework for identification and application of EHIs will be developed.Read moreRead less
Integrated and precautionary approach for assessing complex environmental health impacts. It is important to develop an innovative and systematic approach to the improvement of environmental health impact assessment for emerging complex environmental hazards. It has become increasingly apparent that traditional risk assessment methods are no longer suitable for assessing the health impact of emerging global environmental issues such as climate change and ecosystem degradation. The novelty of thi ....Integrated and precautionary approach for assessing complex environmental health impacts. It is important to develop an innovative and systematic approach to the improvement of environmental health impact assessment for emerging complex environmental hazards. It has become increasingly apparent that traditional risk assessment methods are no longer suitable for assessing the health impact of emerging global environmental issues such as climate change and ecosystem degradation. The novelty of this proposal lies in its intention to create fundamental knowledge on an integrated and precautionary approach for assessing complex and emerging environmental health risks by development of a conceptual framework for integrated environmental health impact assessment.Read moreRead less