Smoking Attributable Health Service Use Among Australian Subpopulations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Research from overseas indicates that the health impact of smoking might be greater in certain groups of the Australian population. In order to test this hypothesis, this research aims to determine whether smoking has a greater impact in individuals of lower socioeconomic status, residents of rural or remote areas, people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, and/or individuals with certain ethnic backgrounds. This will help to provide support for programs designed to reduce harm a ....Research from overseas indicates that the health impact of smoking might be greater in certain groups of the Australian population. In order to test this hypothesis, this research aims to determine whether smoking has a greater impact in individuals of lower socioeconomic status, residents of rural or remote areas, people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, and/or individuals with certain ethnic backgrounds. This will help to provide support for programs designed to reduce harm arising from smoking in these groups.Read moreRead less
Investigating Rising Demand For Emergency Health Care With An Ageing Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
The increase and acceleration in demand for emergency healthcare by the elderly is a key issue facing health policy makers. This fellowship will compare utilisation of emergency health services by elderly populations of two large Australian cities, Perth and Melbourne; and test whether an Emergency Department (ED)-based intervention reduces the likelihood of re-presentation to ED and/or hospital admission to hospital. The results will provide valuable information for service providers and policy ....The increase and acceleration in demand for emergency healthcare by the elderly is a key issue facing health policy makers. This fellowship will compare utilisation of emergency health services by elderly populations of two large Australian cities, Perth and Melbourne; and test whether an Emergency Department (ED)-based intervention reduces the likelihood of re-presentation to ED and/or hospital admission to hospital. The results will provide valuable information for service providers and policy makers.Read moreRead less
Morbidity, Mortality And Health Service Use Among Criminal Offenders: A Western Australian Population-based Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,750.00
Summary
This study will focus on the health of criminal offenders, as a most likely marginalised and neglected section of the community, in order to identify areas of need that if addressed will possess benefits for both offenders and the general community. A research team will apply their public health, criminology and forensic psychology expertise, in partnership with the WA Police Service, to provide information on the health outcomes and health service use of adult offenders in WA. Four themes will ....This study will focus on the health of criminal offenders, as a most likely marginalised and neglected section of the community, in order to identify areas of need that if addressed will possess benefits for both offenders and the general community. A research team will apply their public health, criminology and forensic psychology expertise, in partnership with the WA Police Service, to provide information on the health outcomes and health service use of adult offenders in WA. Four themes will be explored: (1) Health Status, to estimate the prevalence of overall and cause-specific hospital-treated morbidity (2) Mortality, to estimate the prevalence of overall and cause-specific mortality, (3) Health Service Use, focussing on both the rate of primary and secondary health service use; and (4) Inequalities In Health Outcomes, firstly comparing the health outcomes of adult offenders with the general WA population, and secondly, comparing the health outcomes of adult offenders based on sanction severity and custodial setting. This investigation is one of only a few worldwide to study health among criminal offenders. Offenders are a neglected section of the Australian health system. Responding to their needs is not possible without an understanding of their health outcomes and the disparities that exist. An important public health opportunity therefore exists to investigate the health of this socially disadvantaged group. This study will provide more detailed data regarding offender-health than currently exists internationally or nationally. Results can be used by health and-or justice administrators as indicators of program and service performance, and potentially lead to improved collaboration between these sectors. The methods used for outcome evaluation can be used readily for the routine evaluation of health performance indicators for offenders.Read moreRead less
Improving Efficiency Of Surveillance Colonoscopy For Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,123.00
Summary
Greater awareness of bowel cancer screening has led to increased demand and waiting times for colonoscopy. National guidelines recognise the need for research to identify the best use of colonoscopy to ensure health funds are directed where they are needed. This study aims to identify how often colonoscopy is required for the best patient outcomes. Data about cancer and death will be linked to hospital and laboratory data to identify which patients need more or less surveillance colonoscopies.
Reducing The Health, Social And Economic Burden Of Injecting Drug Use In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,606,037.00
Summary
Injecting drug use (IDU) is a disproportionately large source of health and social harm. This CRE unites Australia’s leading scientists in the IDU field – researchers working on blood-borne virus epidemiology and treatment, overdose prevention, justice health and psychiatric health - and experts from key non-government organisations. The CRE will develop new ways to improve the health of injecting drug users, and reduce the health and social burden of IDU to the Australian community.
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
Investigating The Relationships Between Cannabis And Other Drug Use, Mental Health, Early-life Factors And Life-course Outcomes: Integrative Analyses Of Data From Four Australasian Cohort Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,097.00
Summary
The current study will be the first of its kind to use integrative data analyses _ a highly innovative approach _ to pool data from four large and long-running Australasian cohort studies to better understand the link between cannabis use and later-life outcomes. Dramatically improved knowledge of these relationships will create a clearer picture of the interventions required to reduce the harms associated with cannabis use.
Large Scale Studies To Inform And Guide Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,315.00
Summary
This research aims to develop existing and new large scale prospective cohort studies to enable research that investigates factors contributing to disease and ill health and thereby provide evidence to guide public health policy. It will specifically focus on adult infectious diseases. It will position Australia to be a leader internationally in large-scale research projects, attract research investment and talent and provide the basis to build public health research capacity.
Study Of The Relationship Of Oral Health And Oral Health Service Utilisation To The General Health Of Older Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,564.00
Summary
The mouths of older Australians now are very different to those of previous generations. The prevalence of complete tooth loss is declining rapidly and this has enormous implications for dental services. This study will use the established Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) as a platform to conduct a study of oral health and oral health service use in 800 older men. A major focus of the study will be the inter-relationships between oral health and physical and mental health.