Associations Between Periodontal Disease And Cardiovascular Surrogate Endpoints In An Adult Indigenous Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,346,328.00
Summary
The relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular surrogate endpoints, both of which are high among the Indigenous Australian population, is established. This study seeks to explore the prevalence of cardiovascular surrogate endpoints among this population with periodontal disease, and to determine if implementation of a periodontal intervention leads to improved cardiovascular risk outcomes. There may be benefit in applying this model to other areas of Indigenous health research.
Evaluation Of An Instrument For Management Of Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,468.00
Summary
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) distress the patient and others. The behaviours, and not the underlying causes, are often treated with antipsychotics, despite side effects and low efficacy. An assessment instrument for care staff to determine and address causes of BPSD will be implemented. We predict training will reduce inappropriate prescribing and other reasons for distress. Where medication is required, detailed information will assist more targeted prescribing.
Kidskin: An Intervention To Reduce Sun Exposure In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,775.00
Summary
Melanoma is an important public health problem in Australia. Almost all melanoma is caused by exposure to sunlight, and childhood exposure appears to be particularly important. Thus, if we can reduce childhood exposure, we should ultimately be able to reduce the incidence of melanoma. Despite nation-wide campaigns such as SunSmart, children in Australia still get too much sun exposure. The school offers an ideal opportunity for implementing sun-safety campaigns in children. In 1995, we began the ....Melanoma is an important public health problem in Australia. Almost all melanoma is caused by exposure to sunlight, and childhood exposure appears to be particularly important. Thus, if we can reduce childhood exposure, we should ultimately be able to reduce the incidence of melanoma. Despite nation-wide campaigns such as SunSmart, children in Australia still get too much sun exposure. The school offers an ideal opportunity for implementing sun-safety campaigns in children. In 1995, we began the Kidskin study, which aims to develop, implement and test a school-based program to reduce sun exposure. Preliminary data from the study show that we successfully reduced exposure. However, we are not certain that we have reduced their risk of melanoma. To see if we have reduced the risk of melanoma, we are counting the children's moles. Moles are strongly related to melanoma, and are our best way of measuring actual risk of melanoma. If we are successful, it will be the first time anyone has shown that reducing exposure to sunlight during childhood will lead to a reduction in the incidence of melanoma in later life.Read moreRead less
The Ecstasy Check-Up: A Multi-site Trial Of A Brief Intervention For Ecstasy Use Among Regular Ecstasy Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,432.00
Summary
Rates of ecstasy use have continued to rise rapidly over the past 10-15 years, particularly among young people. This is of concern, as several studies indicate that ecstasy is associated with a range of short- and long-term harms. Although many users acknowledge risks associated with ecstasy use, few users seek treatment. Therefore, the current project will aim to reduce ecstasy use and harm by providing non-treatment seeking ecstasy users with a brief motivational intervention.
Mediterranean Diet And Mortality: Analysis Of Longitudinal Dietary Patterns Using Newly Developed Statistical Methods
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,547.00
Summary
Assessment of the effect of changes in diet of health has not undergone rigourous analytical assessment in the scientific literature. This proposal focusses on patterns of change over time in a Mediterranean diet in 41,000 persons in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. It will assess the benefits of adoption and maintenance of this diet over an extended period, as well as determining how the benefits of the diet depend on a person's age at its adoption, and how the benefits of the diet int ....Assessment of the effect of changes in diet of health has not undergone rigourous analytical assessment in the scientific literature. This proposal focusses on patterns of change over time in a Mediterranean diet in 41,000 persons in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. It will assess the benefits of adoption and maintenance of this diet over an extended period, as well as determining how the benefits of the diet depend on a person's age at its adoption, and how the benefits of the diet interplay with other potential lifestyle changes.Read moreRead less
Smoking Cessation And Bone Health: Observational And Intervention Studies In Twins And A Quitline Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,050.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a major health problem that causes bones to break (fracture) easily. Many bones are susceptible, with hip fractures being the worst outcome of osteoporosis. They cause pain, disability, require major health interventions (surgery and rehabilitation), lead to death in about 20% of cases, and the overall care of hip fracture patients is very expensive. Osteoporosis is treated to reduce the risk of fractures. The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis should include avoidance of f ....Osteoporosis is a major health problem that causes bones to break (fracture) easily. Many bones are susceptible, with hip fractures being the worst outcome of osteoporosis. They cause pain, disability, require major health interventions (surgery and rehabilitation), lead to death in about 20% of cases, and the overall care of hip fracture patients is very expensive. Osteoporosis is treated to reduce the risk of fractures. The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis should include avoidance of factors known to bring on or worsen the condition. Smokers are known to have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. However, it is not known how smoking brings on osteoporosis. Importantly, neither is it clear whether quitting smoking leads to improved bone health (and a reduced risk of fractures). These are important questions for the community in general and for smokers with osteoporosis in particular. We will endeavour to answer these questions by studying twins who do and do not smoke and by observing what happens to measures of bone health (bone mineral density and other factors) in people attempting to quit smoking. New information gained from these studies may lead to better ways of avoiding or treating the damage that smoking does to bone. We may also become able to predict the benefit to bone when people quit smoking.Read moreRead less
Impact Of The Three Gorges Dam On Transmission And Future Control Of Human Schistosomiasis In China
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,420,135.00
Summary
A million Chinese have schistosomiasis or snail fever. When the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is fully operational, considerable environmental-ecological changes will result, increasing spread of this parasitic disease. In a unique study we will assess the impact of the Dam on schistosomiasis, and test and model a series of options for its control. The findings will be important for China and other areas where schistosomiasis occurs and where similar dams are planned or are under way.
Helping Women Meet Their Activity Goals: Randomised Trial Of A Personalised Program Delivered By Mobile Telephone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,346.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australian women, but is less likely among women who are active. Because women are less active than men, and women with young children are the least active of all, we developed a program to increase postnatal women's physical activity. Women in the pilot study reported high program satisfaction and more physical activity, because the program focused on them (not their kids) and helped them prioritise time for physical activity.
Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Video-delivered Intervention For The Early Detection Of Melanoma In Men 50+ Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,694.00
Summary
Unfortunately, men over 50 years are most at risk to die from melanoma. Skin self-examination, where a man inspects the skin of his whole body with the help of a mirror or another person, and rapid presentation to a doctor without delay if he detects a suspicious lesion has the potential to increase awareness for the skin and to improve early diagnosis. We want to assess if we can increase the rate of skin self-examination in men 50 years and over through a video-delivered intervention.