Informing Vaccination Strategies For Pregnant Women Through Linked Population Health Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Vaccination during pregnancy has health benefits for mothers and their infants; however, it is a relatively new area of research, and the immediate and long-term consequences for children are currently not well understood. As part of this fellowship, I plan to conduct research into the long-term health impacts of vaccination during pregnancy. This fellowship will build my career as a perinatal epidemiologist and establish expertise in Australia related to vaccines given during pregnancy.
Maternal Health Study (phase 2): Longitudinal 4-year Follow-up Of A Prospective Nulliparous Pregnancy Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,402.00
Summary
The burden of disease among women after childbirth is substantial, under-recognised by health professionals, and symptoms do not necessarily resolve within the first 12 months. Common health problems after childbirth include: chronic exhaustion, back pain, urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues and intimate partner violence. This study will extend follow-up of over 1500 women taking part in a longitudinal study investigating the physical and psychological health of ....The burden of disease among women after childbirth is substantial, under-recognised by health professionals, and symptoms do not necessarily resolve within the first 12 months. Common health problems after childbirth include: chronic exhaustion, back pain, urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues and intimate partner violence. This study will extend follow-up of over 1500 women taking part in a longitudinal study investigating the physical and psychological health of women during pregnancy and the first 18 months after the birth of their first child. In phase 2 of the study, women will be followed up 6 and 12 months after second and subsequent births, and 4 years after the birth of their first child. A major aim of phase 2 of the study is to assess the prevalence, incidence, onset, severity, duration, recurrence and chronicity of maternal health problems (including urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues, depression and intimate partner violence) after second and subsequent births, and 4 years after giving birth to a first child. The study will also determine the extent to which the method of birth in the first birth influences longer-term maternal health outcomes including urinary and faecal incontinence, and investigate the implications of chronic and recurring physical health problems for women's psychological health and well-being. Information on the incidence and natural history of maternal health problems after caesarean and operative vaginal births will make a major international contribution to more informed debate among clinicians, and to informing women, about the risks and benefits of increasing caesarean births. The study findings will be used to inform clinical midwifery, obstetric and primary care practice, and assist in the design of new early intervention and primary care strategies for supporting women in the early years of parenting.Read moreRead less
Assessing Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Effectiveness: Integrating Transmission Models, Genetics And Cohort Data To Inform Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,597.00
Summary
Between 2009-12 a very large epidemic of whooping cough occurred in Australia. More surprisingly during the course of the epidemic the bacteria that cause whooping cough showed genetic changes that seemed to avoid protection provided by the current vaccine against whooping cough in Australia. This grant seeks to use mathematical models of whooping cough transmission to explain how this occurred and to establish whether alternative vaccination strategies might improve the control of this disease.
What Are The Clinical Predictors And Risk Factors For Impaired Child Growth And Development? Following Up The Ha Nam Cohort From Birth To 3 Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,189,570.00
Summary
Stunting affects about one third of children under five in developing countries and is a measure of chronic undernutrition. This project will identify pre and postnatal risk factors for impaired child growth and development by monitoring a cohort of infants in Vietnam to three years of age, and developing a predictive algorithm for early detection of those at risk of stunting. Effective preventative measures would improve child health, and prevent a huge burden of disease.
Vaccination Timeliness In Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Infants: Risk Factors For Delayed Vaccination And Impact On Disease Burden—a Record Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,183.00
Summary
Vaccination has had a significant impact, but preventable infections continue to occur, perhaps due to delayed uptake of scheduled doses. For the first time, we will link vaccination and other health records to: provide accurate estimates of the impact of vaccination; identify reasons for delayed vaccination; and quantify the expected reduction in disease burden if vaccination timeliness was improved. The study will help determine who would benefit most from efforts to improve timeliness.
Understanding The Likely Population Impact Of New And Improved Influenza Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,678.00
Summary
Influenza causes a large burden of death and disease each year, as well as disruptive pandemics. Vaccines that could protect against more than one season�s flu strains (including new pandemic viruses) would be highly desirable, and may be on the horizon. Our aim is to understand the likely impact of these new vaccines on the way flu viruses spread between people, and change from one season to the next. This information is needed to justify their introduction, and inform their best use.
Promoting Children’s Health In The Face Of Early Life Adversity: Pathways To Resilience Across The Life Course
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
This Fellowship will build upon my research to discover the risk and resilience pathways involved in the long-term health outcomes for Australian children experiencing stress in their early years. This research will inform the planning of better targeted policy, public health and primary health care solutions for children and families in the critical early years of children’s lives.