Novel Epidemiological Methods To Infer The Causal Effects Of Risk Factors On Neuropsychiatric And Cardiovascular Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$182,003.00
Summary
Epidemiological studies, which associate risk factors and disease, are central in informing public health policy. Because causality is difficult to ascertain from these associations, public health interventions based on these findings are at some risk of failure. We propose to develop, extend and apply an innovative epidemiological approach, Mendelian randomization (MR) to resolve the causal relationship between risk factors and neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular disorders.
Investigating Early Life Exposure To Plastic Products In Australia And Subsequent Neurodevelopmental Effects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,376.00
Summary
Child neurodevelopment disorders like autism are becoming more common. Recent work indicates almost all pregnant mothers in Australia harbour plastic chemicals – bisphenols and phthalates and foetus is also exposed. Human evidence is emerging that higher exposure to plastics during pregnancy may be associated with these disorders. Randomised controlled trials are not possible so high quality birth cohort studies, as proposed here, are required to investigate this issue comprehensively.
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.
The RADAR Project: Identifying Early Warning Signals On The Pathways To Alcohol Use Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,321.00
Summary
The transition from alcohol initiation to an alcohol use disorder is a crucial yet under-studied research area. The current project will characterise the natural history of alcohol use disorder and identify modifiable factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder once alcohol use begins. This information will guide prevention of, and early intervention for, this disabling disorder.
An Individual-level Study Of Suicide Method Substitution Over Time
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,122.00
Summary
This study will explore patterns of suicide methods _ e.g., whether people who attempt suicide by hanging make subsequent attempts in the following month, and, if so, whether they use the same or different methods. It will track anonymised patients who have been hospitalised for a suicide attempt in 3 Australian states to determine the extent, method and outcome of any subsequent attempts. The study will inform questions about ïbest betsÍ in terms of restricting access to means of suicide.
Turning Points: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles Of Intimate Partner Abuse And Social Adversity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,328,354.00
Summary
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is estimated to affect one in four women at some stage in their lives, and to impact on the lives of at least one million Australian children annually. This study will investigate the extent to which exposure to intimate partner abuse during pregnancy and in the first 12 months postpartum predicts child outcomes in middle childhood. The study will provide foundations for better targeting and tailoring of early intervention strategies to support children at risk of ad ....Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is estimated to affect one in four women at some stage in their lives, and to impact on the lives of at least one million Australian children annually. This study will investigate the extent to which exposure to intimate partner abuse during pregnancy and in the first 12 months postpartum predicts child outcomes in middle childhood. The study will provide foundations for better targeting and tailoring of early intervention strategies to support children at risk of adverse outcomes.Read moreRead less