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A Structured Systems Approach For Improving Health Promotion Practice For Chronic Diseases In Indigenous Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,592.00
Summary
This project will trial a model for continuous improvement, with the aim of assisting health services and community based organisations to improve the services they deliver to promote health and prevent chronic disease in Indigenous communities.
Implementation And Evaluation Of A Diabetes Intervention Program In Indigenous Australian Communities.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$173,625.00
Summary
Approximately 700,000 Australians have type 2 diabetes (also termed maturity-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes), which is a condition associated with reduced lifespan, eye disease, heart disease, renal disease, stroke, and foot complications leading to amputation. Indigenous Australians are at particularly high risk, with over 30% of adults affected by this condition in a number of communities, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle ....Approximately 700,000 Australians have type 2 diabetes (also termed maturity-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes), which is a condition associated with reduced lifespan, eye disease, heart disease, renal disease, stroke, and foot complications leading to amputation. Indigenous Australians are at particularly high risk, with over 30% of adults affected by this condition in a number of communities, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle modification and tight control of the blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol are the keys to preventing the complications of diabetes. Self-management is central to success, and education, support and encouragement play an important role. This research project incorporates an education program that has been developed in partnership with the indigenous health team at Cherbourg. Particular strengths include the emphasis on family involvement and community support. The central role of the indigenous health team will ensure continuity of benefit to the community. If proven to be effective, the program could be used as a model for interventions in other community settings to reduce the burden from type 2 diabetes in the indigenous Australian population.Read moreRead less
Immunogenicity Of 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination Among Indigenous Australian Adolescents And Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,738.00
Summary
Multiple doses of pneumococcal vaccine are recommended for Indigenous Australians under a unique schedule aimed at reducing high rates of pneumococcal disease. However, disease rates have not reduced after several years of the program. This study examines a key, previously unstudied explanation for the lack of disease reduction in this population: that repeated vaccination could produce suboptimal protection against disease. It will provide evidence to underpin future vaccination policy.
Gudaga Project: Understanding The Health, Development, And Service Use Of Aboriginal Children In An Urban Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,424,845.00
Summary
The Gudaga project is a birth cohort of Aboriginal children that will be followed from 18 months to 5 years and describe their health, development and service (health and children's) use. This is the first study of its kind in Eastern Australia. The research team are working closely with stakeholders in Aboriginal health care including the Aboriginal community to implement the research. The research will contribute to services for Aboriginal children in the local and wider community.
An Education Intervention For Childhood Asthma By Local Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Workers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$97,500.00
Summary
There are only a few studies on asthma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and those are restricted to prevalence and hospitalisation data. We have previously shown that the prevalence of childhood asthma in the Torres is similar to that of mainstream Australia and that children of this region generally have more severe asthma than children seen in urban areas. Using a model of care appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with the involvement of local Indigen ....There are only a few studies on asthma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and those are restricted to prevalence and hospitalisation data. We have previously shown that the prevalence of childhood asthma in the Torres is similar to that of mainstream Australia and that children of this region generally have more severe asthma than children seen in urban areas. Using a model of care appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with the involvement of local Indigenous health care workers, we have adapted an asthma information package. With Study 1, we will examine the effect of local health care workers using this education package to educate children about their asthma. Our hypotheses is that children who receive additional asthma education by health worker have better asthma control. So we propose a randomized controlled trial of a culturally appropriate education intervention with children diagnosed with asthma. Enrolled children will be allocated by chance to one of the two regimes: (1) additional asthma education intervention: children will receive a personalised booklet (containing individual data eg. growth, photo of the child, health worker visits etc) that will be used during the medical consultation. They will also have 3 visits from the health worker for their asthma. (2) no additional intervention (they will receive usual information about asthma at the consultation and no health worker visit). With Study 2 we will examine the natural history of children with asthma and asthma-like symptoms and with symptoms suggestive of sleep breathing problems. Two groups of children previously seen by this team (5 years ago) will be clinically reassessed. Our hypothesis is that short to medium term history of asthma in Indigenous children in the Torres Strait is similar to non-Indigenous Australian children where there is a general improvement with age.Read moreRead less
Azithromycin Versus Placebo In The Treatment Of Asymptomatic Acute Otitis Media In Young Aboriginal Children : A RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,357,460.00
Summary
Remote Aboriginal children have the highest rates of severe ear infection reported in the medical literature. At any time, large numbers of children have a bulging eardrum (acute otitis media) but most are completely asymptomatic. In our previous antibiotic study, acute otitis media (AOM) persisted in 50% of children after 1 week of treatment. In terms of clinical success, it didn't make any difference whether azithromycin or amoxicillin was used (although azithromycin seemed to be better at red ....Remote Aboriginal children have the highest rates of severe ear infection reported in the medical literature. At any time, large numbers of children have a bulging eardrum (acute otitis media) but most are completely asymptomatic. In our previous antibiotic study, acute otitis media (AOM) persisted in 50% of children after 1 week of treatment. In terms of clinical success, it didn't make any difference whether azithromycin or amoxicillin was used (although azithromycin seemed to be better at reducing the level of infection). Currently local clinicians are: i) uncertain whether antibiotics make any difference at all; and ii) reluctant to devote resources to case-finding without good evidence of substantial benefit. In this randomised controlled trial, we will determine the benefits of 2 doses of azithromycin given 1 week apart in children with asymptomatic acute otitis media will improve health outcomes. The results of the trial will become the best available evidence to guide the medical management of asymptomatic AOM in high-risk children. We anticipate that it will make an important contribution in the shift toward more effective prevention and management of otitis media in Australian Aboriginal children. It will also have implications for all disadvantaged populations where adverse outcomes are common and compliance with recommended treatment is poor.Read moreRead less
Antenatal Screening For Fetal Anomalies In Indigenous Women: Views Of Indigenous People And Their Health Care Providers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,204.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate the views of Indigenous women, their families and health service providers about antenatal screening tests for abnormalities like Down syndrome. This will contribute knowledge about why there is low uptake of screening amongst Indigenous women, and whether changes in the provision of antenatal care are required. This is important because all women, regardless of their culture or location, should be offered the same opportunities and care during pregnancy.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Family Tobacco Control Program To Reduce Respiratory Illness In Indigenous Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,157,688.00
Summary
Over 60% of Indigenous children live in households with one or more regular smokers, where they are exposed to high levels of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). ETS is a significant and preventable cause of respiratory illness. The aim of this research project is to test whether a family-based program about ETS smoke will reduce the number of clinic presentations of infants for respiratory illness. If successful, it has the potential to improve the health of Indigenous children across Australia.
Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Comprehensive Primary Health Care In Local Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,635,268.00
Summary
This research will develop and implement a program logic evaluation in order to assess the effectiveness of various models of primary heatlh care service delivery. Although comprehensive primary health care holds considerable promise to meet the growing demands on the health system, it has not been thoroughly evaluated. Comprehensive primary health care is a large and complex area, therefore part of the project focuses on services and client experiences in two chromic diseases: diabetes and depr ....This research will develop and implement a program logic evaluation in order to assess the effectiveness of various models of primary heatlh care service delivery. Although comprehensive primary health care holds considerable promise to meet the growing demands on the health system, it has not been thoroughly evaluated. Comprehensive primary health care is a large and complex area, therefore part of the project focuses on services and client experiences in two chromic diseases: diabetes and depressionRead moreRead less