Prevention Of Injury In Disadvantaged And High Risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
Associate Professor Ivers leads groundbreaking research that examines the burden and risk factors for injury, and works with Government to develop effective prevention programs. Injury is a leading cause of death and disability across Australia and Asia and, working with leading scientists from around the world, her program of research will seek to reduce this burden, particularly for disadvantaged and high risk populations. Focusing on road injury and falls, her work will have important benefit ....Associate Professor Ivers leads groundbreaking research that examines the burden and risk factors for injury, and works with Government to develop effective prevention programs. Injury is a leading cause of death and disability across Australia and Asia and, working with leading scientists from around the world, her program of research will seek to reduce this burden, particularly for disadvantaged and high risk populations. Focusing on road injury and falls, her work will have important benefits for injury prevention globally.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Study Of Cerebrovascular Mechanisms Underyling Gait, Balance And Cognition In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,330.00
Summary
Mobility problems, falls and dementia are among the major problems affecting older Australians with significant consequent disability. Treatment of such disorders carries an estimated annual cost of around 4 billion dollars. This study will examine the role of age-related brain changes in causing problems with walking, balance and cognitive abilities in the general community. The clarification of the role of the ageing brain in causing such disorders will guide efforts directed at preventing the ....Mobility problems, falls and dementia are among the major problems affecting older Australians with significant consequent disability. Treatment of such disorders carries an estimated annual cost of around 4 billion dollars. This study will examine the role of age-related brain changes in causing problems with walking, balance and cognitive abilities in the general community. The clarification of the role of the ageing brain in causing such disorders will guide efforts directed at preventing the occurrence of falls and dementia.Read moreRead less
Predicting The Individual Risk Of Prostate Cancer In Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,656.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently a ....Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently available for prostate cancer. We will apply standard statistical methods to existing data from the Australian Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer study and from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to develop a prostate cancer risk prediction model. We will test how factor like age, detailed family history, diet, baldness status and possibly previous PSA tests and prostate biopsies predict the risk. After developing the model, we will test the accuracy of the predictions in three ways. First, using existing data from the Australian Prostate Cancer Family Study, we will see whether the number of cases in a group of men is close to the number predicted by the model (calibration). Second, to test whether the model discriminate well men who develop prostate cancer from those who do not, we will collect family trees in a sample from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. We will use these data also to estimate the optimal cut point: men above this level of risk will be considered at high risk. Third, we will apply the model to existing data from the Dutch Prostate Cancer Family Study (DPCFS) to test whether the optimal cut point identify high-risk men and to validate the model in a non-Australian population. Finally, we will prepare a computer package that health professionals will use as decision-making tool in different scenarios including individual cancer risk assessment, design of prevention trials and targeting prevention programs to high-risk men.Read moreRead less
Genetic Epidemiology Of Endometrial Cancer: Towards Understanding Aetiology And Improving Risk Prediction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,573.00
Summary
Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models ....Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models.Read moreRead less
Clinical, Environmental And Genetic Factors And The Risk Of Oesophageal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$145,685.00
Summary
Oesophageal cancer is a rapidly fatal disease which is becoming more common in Australia, the United States and other industrialised nations. This study will examine the mechanisms leading to the development of oesophageal cancer and aims to measure the effects of genes and environment on the burden of cancer. Ultimately, this research will help target persons at highest risk so that screening, prevention and surveillance efforts can be directed more effectively.
Obesity, Pre-diabetes And Future Risk Of Diabetes: Maximising The Evidence, Minimising The Cost
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,136.00
Summary
The overarching aim of this proposal is to reliably determine how best to identify people at high risk of developing future diabetes. We will do this by using information on biological and behavioural risk factors that was collected on nearly 200,000 people many years ago and who were subsequently followed up to see who developed diabetes. This information will be used to create a risk prediction tool for spotting individuals most at risk of developing diabetes at some point in the future.
Automated Mammographic Measures That Predict Breast Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,260.00
Summary
Mammographic density (MD) is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk but its impractical measurement prevents its use in a clinical setting. An automated measure of MD would allow screening programs to identify and target women at higher risk of breast cancer which could lead to earlier diagnoses and better breast cancer outcomes. We aim to develop an automated measurement, maximized by its ability to predict breast cancer risk, and applicable to both film and digital mammograms.
Ambulance Demand: Random Events Or Predictable Patterns
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$59,191.00
Summary
Over the past 20 years there has been an increase in demand for emergency ambulance services across the developed world, placing significant strain on ambulance resources. However, it is not known if demand is constant across different times of day, days of the week or months of the year. This PhD will examine temporal patterns in ambulance demand using four years of data derived from paramedic assessment. Understanding these patterns will provide evidence to inform ambulance practice.
Monitoring cardiovascular risk is a major part of the clinical workload both in general practice and specialty areas, but it is an under-researched area, reflected in a general lack of evidence based guidelines. My research will evaluate how to optimise the monitoring of cardiovascular risk both before and after starting treatment. By maximising clinical benefits for patients and minimising unnecessary resource use, my research will benefit patients, clinicians and the community at large.