Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.
Evidence-driven Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Infections Among Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,859.00
Summary
Dr Asha Bowen will be building the evidence to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in Australia's Indigenous children during her early career fellowship. This will include a randomised controlled trial on the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in the Northern Territory and developing new strategies to reduce the burden of skin infections in children living in remote communities.
Optimising Interventions For Staphylococcus Aureus And Skin Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Staphylococcal and streptococcal infections are major causes of illness and death, particularly in Indigenous Australians. These include invasive bloodstream infections and skin infections that lead to chronic kidney and heart disease. I will conduct clinical trials to optimise the management of staphylococcal bloodstream infections using novel trial methods, and use genomics and mathematical modelling to understand and reduce the burden of skin infections in Indigenous communities.
Identifying Pragmatic Strategies To Prevent And Treat Enteric Infection In Indigenous Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
Diarrhoea remains one of the commonest causes of death in young children. Most of these deaths occur in places that have limited clean water, food, and health care. Although deaths from diarrhoea are rare in Australia, Indigenous children still suffer from frequent and severe episodes of diarrhoea, much more so that than non-Indigenous infants. This research aims to reduce this suffering by finding ways to both prevent and treat diarrhoea in young children.
Towards The Elimination Of Tuberculosis And Rheumatic Heart Disease In Northern Australia And Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,600.00
Summary
My research program addresses tuberculosis and rheumatic heart disease, which are leading challenges for Northern Australia and our region. Both are diseases caused by infections with long-term complications. They cause illness and death in young Aboriginal people and neighbouring Southeast Asian populations. There are many gaps in our ability to effectively detect and prevent these diseases. My research targets these gaps, from cutting-edge science to translation of guidelines into practice.
Community Treatment Intervention With Ivermectin To Reduce The Prevalence Of Scabies And Strongyloides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,046.00
Summary
Scabies and strongyloides are endemic in many remote East Arnhem Aboriginal communities. To reduce the prevalence of these parasitic infections a community treatment intervention will be undertaken using the drug Ivermectin. The introduction of this innovative drug treatment regime for both scabies and strongyloides will be a first in Australia.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Alternative Treatments To Intramuscular Penicillin For Impetigo In Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,326,182.00
Summary
We will conduct clinical trials to find an effective, simple and cheap oral alternative to injected penicillin for skin sores which could become the universal standard of care whether the patient is in Melbourne or Milingimbi. It would also likely be adopted by the World Health Organization as a standard of care for developing countries. This would lead directly to a reduced burden of skin sores and their complications. It would also open the way for studies to explore even simpler regimens.
Determination Of Disease Specific Epitopes In Rheumatic Heart Disease In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,817.00
Summary
Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RF-RHD) remain a significant cause of illness in Aboriginal communities in Australia. RF-RHD is a complication which follows infection with a specific bacterium. The purpose of this study is to compare the body's response and find out the patterns of antibody and immune cell reactivity to the bacterium and body proteins in RF-RHD patients and controls. It will also enable us to study the mechanisms that initiate the disease process.
Do Respiratory Viruses Explain High Rates Of Acute Otitis Media With Perforation In Young Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,159.00
Summary
Aboriginal children living in remote communities have very high rates of acute otitis media with perforation. Antibiotics can prevent about half these episodes but long courses are needed. No studies have assessed the potential contribution of respiratory viruses to this burden. This study will use samples (already stored in freezers) from children with perforation and children without perforation to screen for respiratory viruses. Direct clinical and research implications are anticipated.