This project will examine the acceptability and validity of a depression screening tool for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient with ischaemic heart disease, and concurrently determine depression prevalence in the sample population attending an urban Aboriginal community controlled health service.
Chronic Diseases In Aboriginal Australians: A Cohort Study With 20 Years Of Follow-up In A Remote Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,842.00
Summary
Our aims are to estimate lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and renal failure, and to assess the long term effects of early life risk factors on those conditions in Aboriginal Australians. Long term follow-up is crucial to investigate the natural history of chronic disease and their early life risk factors. A cohort in a remote Aboriginal community has been established since 1992. To achieve the aims of this project, we propose to extend the follow-up of this cohort to 20 years.
Translating Rheumatic Fever Prevention Strategies Into Practice In Australia's High Burden Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$178,157.00
Summary
Rheumatic fever is a serious preventable disease causing premature illness and death, yet unacceptably high rates occur in Australian Indigenous communities. Prevention can be achieved with regular penicillin injections, but there are many barriers, so people needing this treatment frequently miss doses. This program proposes to close the evidence-practice gap by forming effective partnerships to effectively roll out rheumatic fever prevention strategies in clinics across the Northern Territory.
Waist Circumference And Absolute Risks Of Chronic Diseases: Evidence For Establishing Waist Circumference Cutoffs For Aboriginal Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,978.00
Summary
The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Australians is unacceptable. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney failure are major diseases contributing to such a gap. Waist circumference is an important risk marker of those chronic diseases for health promotion and intervention. However, cutoff values for Aboriginal Australians are lacking, which limits its use in this population. In this project, we will provide evidence of multiple sources for establishing appropriate cutoff v ....The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Australians is unacceptable. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney failure are major diseases contributing to such a gap. Waist circumference is an important risk marker of those chronic diseases for health promotion and intervention. However, cutoff values for Aboriginal Australians are lacking, which limits its use in this population. In this project, we will provide evidence of multiple sources for establishing appropriate cutoff values for Aboriginal people.Read moreRead less
Burden Of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) And Impact Of Prevention Strategies: Comprehensive Evidence To Drive The RHD Endgame
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$960,655.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease is chronic damage to the heart valves caused by repeated bouts of acute rheumatic fever. Both are preventable, yet rates among Indigenous Australians are of the highest recorded. We propose to undertake the first multi-jurisdictional study of these conditions to determine trends in occurrence and evaluate the impact of existing interventions in Australia. Findings will be used to inform the development of a roadmap to remove RHD as a public health problem in Australia.
Evidence-based Policy To End Rheumatic Heart Disease In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) occurs when untreated infections from streptococcal bacteria cause heart valve damage. RHD is almost exclusively a disease of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Researchers are working on an endgame for RHD which will provide a set of recommendations to end the disease. This PhD is to understand how to ensure those recommendations are implemented. The outcomes will also help to control other diseases which are more common in Indigenous Australians.
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) In Pregnancy: Challenges Of Health Service Provision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$38,552.00
Summary
The burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in pregnancy can be significant and in Australia is mostly confined to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This study explores the barriers to timely diagnosis and best practice care for pregnant women with RHD, through 1) a study of reporting and health information systems related to RHD in pregnancy; and 2) an examination of health professionals’ knowledge, experiences of and attitudes to provision of care for pregnant women with RHD.