Occupational injury prevention in high temperature environments. This project aims to explore the contribution of heat as a risk factor in work-related illness and injury. Approximately 600 000 Australians experience a work-related illness or injury each year. Hot weather may directly or indirectly lead to accidents, but heat as a risk factor has not been systematically explored, and is particularly relevant in a warming climate. This project aims to improve safety and productivity in Australian ....Occupational injury prevention in high temperature environments. This project aims to explore the contribution of heat as a risk factor in work-related illness and injury. Approximately 600 000 Australians experience a work-related illness or injury each year. Hot weather may directly or indirectly lead to accidents, but heat as a risk factor has not been systematically explored, and is particularly relevant in a warming climate. This project aims to improve safety and productivity in Australian industry by generating new evidence and predictive models to inform injury prevention policy and guidance, and facilitating the development of practical, targeted resources. This project expects to add to the body of knowledge regarding workers’ health and safety and to be of benefit to industry and subpopulations at risk.Read moreRead less
From science to policy: quantifying and managing the risk of mosquito borne disease in the context of climate change. It is important to assess and manage the health risks of climate change. This research will create fundamental knowledge and practical skills on the interdisciplinary assessment and management of health risks of climate change, and explore policy ramifications of research outcomes in this study.
Assessing the social and environmental determinants of seasonal influenza outbreaks. This project aims to examine the potential social and environmental predictors of seasonal influenza outbreaks across temperate and tropical climates. It will develop a spatiotemporal model to identify where, when and who is most susceptible to changes of risk in influenza epidemic-prone regions of Queensland, Australia and Gansu province and Shanghai City, China. A spatiotemporal predictive model for influenza ....Assessing the social and environmental determinants of seasonal influenza outbreaks. This project aims to examine the potential social and environmental predictors of seasonal influenza outbreaks across temperate and tropical climates. It will develop a spatiotemporal model to identify where, when and who is most susceptible to changes of risk in influenza epidemic-prone regions of Queensland, Australia and Gansu province and Shanghai City, China. A spatiotemporal predictive model for influenza will be useful for the early identification of impending epidemics, which will lead to a more rapid and efficiently targeted response than is possible with the current system, thereby reducing the magnitude and health and economic impact of epidemics.Read moreRead less
A screening tool to identify safer biodiesels. This project aims to identify what makes an optimal biodiesel in terms of minimising toxic exhaust outputs (environmental effects) and effects on health. Biodiesel, which can be made from virtually any natural oil, is seen as a healthier, environmentally friendly alternative to mineral diesel, but some biodiesels are worse than others. By studying exposure and analysing biodiesel exhaust, this project will develop a screening algorithm to assess bio ....A screening tool to identify safer biodiesels. This project aims to identify what makes an optimal biodiesel in terms of minimising toxic exhaust outputs (environmental effects) and effects on health. Biodiesel, which can be made from virtually any natural oil, is seen as a healthier, environmentally friendly alternative to mineral diesel, but some biodiesels are worse than others. By studying exposure and analysing biodiesel exhaust, this project will develop a screening algorithm to assess biodiesels for their environmental effects and their risk to health. Outcomes are expected to guide industry in producing an alternative fuel.Read moreRead less
Assisting rural communities in South Australia adapt to the health challenges of increasing temperatures and climate change. This study will investigate the effects of extreme heat, increasing temperatures and consequences of climate change, on the population health of rural communities in South Australia. Findings will inform adaptation strategies to prevent an increase in heat-associated and climate change-associated morbidity and mortality in rural areas.
Non-linear modelling for predicting patient presentation rates for mass-gatherings. Mass-gatherings are events where crowds gather. Access to health care at these events is critical, though difficult. Complex interrelationships exist between characteristics of events and presenting patient profiles. To prevent overwhelming local hospital and emergency services it is important to accurately predict patient volume. A predictive model constructed through linear modelling has been widely used. Key f ....Non-linear modelling for predicting patient presentation rates for mass-gatherings. Mass-gatherings are events where crowds gather. Access to health care at these events is critical, though difficult. Complex interrelationships exist between characteristics of events and presenting patient profiles. To prevent overwhelming local hospital and emergency services it is important to accurately predict patient volume. A predictive model constructed through linear modelling has been widely used. Key features affecting patient presentations are non-linear in character and non-linear modelling may provide more accurate patient predictive models. This project provides prospective analysis of data to develop a non-linear predictive model.Read moreRead less
Development of a heatwave definition using the health risk-based metrics. Climate change is increasingly recognised as this century's biggest global health threat, but the health consequences of climate change remain to be quantified. A typical example is health risks from heatwaves which kill more people than any other natural hazard in Australia, but few comprehensive datasets are available on what affects heatwaves can have on population health and well-being, and how such evidence can be tra ....Development of a heatwave definition using the health risk-based metrics. Climate change is increasingly recognised as this century's biggest global health threat, but the health consequences of climate change remain to be quantified. A typical example is health risks from heatwaves which kill more people than any other natural hazard in Australia, but few comprehensive datasets are available on what affects heatwaves can have on population health and well-being, and how such evidence can be translated into policy. This project aims to understand the health risks associated with heatwaves, to develop health risk-based metrics to define a heatwave across different areas, and to evaluate its implications for the development of social and health policies within an Australian context.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100924
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Living with bushfires: generating essential evidence for sustainable fire management. Planned burning is a crucial tool for bushfire management yet a side effect is smoke pollution. This research will use ambulance data to assess the acute community health impacts of smoke from wild and planned fires to provide essential evidence for increasing the safety and acceptability of planned burning operations in Australia.
The unfolding story of the 2009 Adelaide heatwave: risk factors for mortality and morbidity. This project will conduct a case control study in Adelaide to explore the risk factors of extra health burden related to the 2009 heatwave. Given the prediction of more extreme heat events, this study will provide important information for policy makers and service providers to assist in the development of more resilient communities to climate change.
Understanding changes in chemical exposure through integrative sampling and systematic archiving. Poor data on exposure limits our understanding of the effects of chemical exposure on health. This project will aim to develop population-based exposure monitoring strategies to measure exposure, exposure trends, the success of intervention strategies and associations between exposure and health outcomes.