The Role Of Infant Food Allergy In The Natural History And Burden Of Allergic Disease Across The Early Years: The HealthNuts Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,722,373.00
Summary
The HealthNuts study of 4600 infants is the world’s first comprehensive population-based study of food allergy with objective measurement of true food allergy and will enable us to understand better the natural history of allergic disorders including food allergy, asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis and the interplay of risk factors for development of these conditions in the first 6 years of life. The study will have important implications for clinical guidelines and public health policy.
A New Genomic Frontier For Foodborne Disease Investigation In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,520.00
Summary
Foodborne diseases caused by bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter are a huge public health problem, both in Australia and globally. Current methods used to investigate foodborne disease may not be sensitive enough to track foodborne outbreaks, and may not even detect them in the first place. We propose using cutting-edge molecular techniques to investigate foodborne outbreaks, and we think that using these methods will enable outbreaks to be interrupted at a much earlier stage.
Risk Factors For Food Allergy And The Allergic March To Asthma In Childhood: The HealthNuts Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,876,796.00
Summary
Food allergy appears to represent a second epidemic of allergic disease. It is not known why some children grow out of their food allergy or how food allergy in the first year of life impacts asthma and allergy in later childhood. HealthNuts is a large study of 5300 children that can answer these questions. HealthNuts visited children at ages 1, 4 and 6 and requests funding to re-visit them at age 10. Results will help prevent children developing food allergy, asthma and the allergic march.
Prevalence Of Challenge-proven Food Allergy And Predictors Of Severe Adverse Reactions To Food In Early Adolescence: SchoolNuts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,196,852.00
Summary
Food allergy (FA) has risen to epidemic proportions in recent times and Australia has one of the highest rates in the world. FA is most common in children under 5 years, yet adolescents are at the greatest risk of death from food-related anaphylaxis. We don’t know why this is the case. Our research will describe FA prevalence and will assess the factors placing FA adolescents at high risk of severe allergic reactions. Findings will influence policy for management of FA and anaphylaxis.
Early Introduction Of Dietary Allergen To Reduce The Population Prevalence Of Infant Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,468.00
Summary
Australia has the highest recorded prevalence of childhood peanut allergy, a potentially life-threatening condition. New evidence shows introducing peanut into the diet in infancy can reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy in high risk infants, and allergy prevention guidelines now recommend giving peanut before 12 months. This study will evaluate how effective these guidelines have been in promoting earlier peanut introduction and reducing the population prevalence of peanut allergy.