Stillbirth is a global public health problem. In Australia, almost 3,000 stillbirths occur each year and death places a significant psychological burden on parents, families and caregivers. The community impacts through social and economic costs are also substantial. Many stillbirths are preventable with known and novel interventions. Through a CRE dedicated to stillbirth, we aim to strengthen our collaborations locally and internationally, and reduce stillbirth, and improve care for parents.
Innovation For Health Service Provision And Clinical Management Of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,338,220.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally and had a steep rise in burden in low- and middle income countries. A greater focus on a preventative model of care is needed. Frugal innovation is the concept of creating small, low-cost solutions to big problems. My goal is to discover and robustly evaluate in real-world setting low-cost interventions that can be scaled and implemented to reduce the burden of CVD globally.
Driving Advances In Sugar-sweetened Beverage Policy And Resolving The Unknown Substitution Effects Into Artificially-sweetened Beverage, Fruit Juice And Water Consumption.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,449,800.00
Summary
Many countries are introducing sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) taxes and other policy measures to curb consumption. However, artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) and fruit juices are being excluded from these policy measures. This may have unintended consequences for consumption behaviours and create other negative health outcomes. We will examine substitution effects of SSB policy on water, ASBs and fruit juice consumption, and make recommendations for public health policy.
The Epidemiology Of Substance Use Among Forced Migrant Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,451.00
Summary
People who are forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, disaster or state-sanctioned deportation are vulnerable to substance use. My fellowship focuses on deportees on the US-Mexico border and refugees in Australia. I will address key knowledge and evidence gaps regarding the complex relationships between forced migration and substance use, informing the development of targeted public health responses to reduce the prevalence and consequences of substance use among these populations
The proposed program of research consists of (i) conducting a new trial to examine feasible and relatively low-cost physical activity promotion programs for adults with pre-diabetes; (ii) completing a series of existing major-funded studies relating to health promotion and education programs to promote physical activity; and (iii) I will serve as the Director for the University of Newcastle’s recently-funded Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition.
Eye Banks, Exports, And Australian Opinion: Exploring National Utility Of Human Corneal Tissue Donation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$111,973.00
Summary
Human corneal tissue donations from the deceased can outstrip the demand of eye tissue from ophthalmologists to perform a corneal transplantation, a surgical procedure to treat blindness. This research will determine the quantity of surplus eye tissue, and community understanding of donation and support for exportation. This will help the sector with decision-making on management of oversupply and potential exporte to other countries in need.
Enhancing Understanding Of The Combined Influence Of Physical Activity And Sleep As CVD Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
Physical activity and sleep both impact health but are rarely considered as joint influences of health. I lead a research group that combines epidemiology and intervention research to generate unique insights to better understand how these behaviours jointly impact health and develop, evaluate and disseminate interventions to improve these behaviours.
A Randomised Trial Of An Intervention To Sustain Schools’ Implementation Of A State-wide Physical Activity Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,054,151.00
Summary
Sustaining effective health programmes in community-based settings is a considerable public health challenge. This study, the first RCT of its kind, will test the effectiveness of a sustainability strategy on the proportion of primary school classes that sustain implementation of a physical activity policy as mandated by the NSW Government. The trial could provide a model for supporting schools to sustain school health or education policies, which seek to improve wellbeing of students.
Building Evidence To Improve Health Through Optimal Diet
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
This research will focus on dietary patterns in population health across the life-course. We know little about how dietary patterns and their determinants vary across life and the impact of life-stage transitions on diet and health. This research will provide unique insights into dietary patterns of infants, children, young adults and older adults.