Provision Of Secondary Cardiac Preventive Australian General Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,513.00
Summary
This study will provide a comprehensive description of secondary preventative activities for patients with ischaemic heart disease, with the aim of determining those factors that can most contribute to reducing the increased risk of further events which they experience, and thereby reducing the burden of this disease.
A National Resource For Mouse Models Of Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,643.00
Summary
Mouse models of mesothelioma have led to a greater understanding of the disease and the identification of potential drug therapies some of these have now been translated into clinical trials. In the existing models, mesothelioma cells that have been grown in the laboratory are transplanted into animals by injecting the cells under the skin. Different cell lines with different properties are used in different experimental protocols. This application will fund the establishment of a central resour ....Mouse models of mesothelioma have led to a greater understanding of the disease and the identification of potential drug therapies some of these have now been translated into clinical trials. In the existing models, mesothelioma cells that have been grown in the laboratory are transplanted into animals by injecting the cells under the skin. Different cell lines with different properties are used in different experimental protocols. This application will fund the establishment of a central resource to maintain and distribute these cell lines. In addition, we describe a new transgenic mouse model in which mesotheliomas are rapidly induced in the peritoneal cavity after exposure to asbestos, recreating the natural tumour development much more accurately. These mice have been engineered to express the cancer causing protein of a monkey virus (SV40 large T antigen) in their mesothelial cells because it has been suggested that the virus has a role in the development of mesothelioma. This application also seeks funding to use the MexTAg mice to test the usefulness of different therapies for the prevention or treatment of mesothelioma. These animals give us the ability to investigate the disease in a more realistic environment than previous models. In parallel collaborative studies with other groups investigating different aspects of the biology of this cancer, we plan to analyze the earliest changes in the development of the disease and search for early markers using proteomics and gene expression studies. We anticipate that this model will generate information more directly relevant to understanding the human disease and will provide essential experimental data for clinical trials.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Declining Dental Needs Of Age Cohorts On The Cost-effectiveness Of Water Fluoridation & Supplementary Prev
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,600.00
Summary
This research will apply economic modelling, based on current trend-data by birth cohort on the effectiveness of water fluoridation to the evaluation of its continuing application to metropolitan water supplies. Wherever possible data from Victoria, and Australia as a whole, will be used in the modelling. It will explore the implications for policy-making in relation to maintenance of benefits gained and potential future application to non-fluoridated rural water supplies in Victoria. A key focu ....This research will apply economic modelling, based on current trend-data by birth cohort on the effectiveness of water fluoridation to the evaluation of its continuing application to metropolitan water supplies. Wherever possible data from Victoria, and Australia as a whole, will be used in the modelling. It will explore the implications for policy-making in relation to maintenance of benefits gained and potential future application to non-fluoridated rural water supplies in Victoria. A key focus is to identify and analyse data relating to the point at which there is a ‘plateauing-out’ of the benefits accruing from water fluoridation in middle and older age. The evaluation will also consider the policy implications of trends towards retention of more teeth into older age and the consequent increased exposure to both caries and periodontal disease.Read moreRead less
Identification And Quantification Of Risk Of Falls In Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,741.00
Summary
This study represents the first systematic approach to understanding the complex interaction of factors that contribute to risk of falling in cognitively impaired older people. The results will provide much needed information on how to intervene to prevent falls and fractures in this high risk population. In the last decade, 25 randomised controlled trials have been published which show it is possible to prevent falls in older people. However, a major disappointing outcome of research in this fi ....This study represents the first systematic approach to understanding the complex interaction of factors that contribute to risk of falling in cognitively impaired older people. The results will provide much needed information on how to intervene to prevent falls and fractures in this high risk population. In the last decade, 25 randomised controlled trials have been published which show it is possible to prevent falls in older people. However, a major disappointing outcome of research in this field is that trials that have included or specifically focused on older people with cognitive impairment have been unsuccessful in preventing falls. Cognitive impairment has long been known to be a major risk factor for falls and fractures but little research has been undertaken to understand the underlying mechanisms as to why this is the case. It is likely that previous falls prevention trials involving people with cognitive impairment were unsuccessful because they did not directly assess mechanisms for falls in this group and simply translated intervention strategies from studies undertaken in cognitively intact older people. This study aims to develop our understanding of the important factors that contribute to risk of falling in older people with cognitive impairment and dementia. Participants will be recruited from a number of sources including hospitals, out-patient clinics, retirement villages, hostels etc. Whilst some participants will be able to consent to take part, all participants must have a nominated person responsible. Consenting participants will undergo a series of assessments, the majority of which can be undertaken in their own home. These will include medical and medication history, measures of gait and balance and tests assessing performance of different regions of the brain. An MRI scan will allow us to determine whether risk of falling relates to any specific pathology in different parts of the brain. We anticipate that we will be able to identify which risk factors and underlying mechanisms are most strongly associated with falling in cognitively impaired older people. We then hope to use the information to design targeted and tailored intervention strategies to reduce falls and fractures in this high risk population.Read moreRead less
A Type II Diabetes Adn Obesity Prevention Program For Primary School Aged Rural Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,497,369.00
Summary
This project aims to develop and evaluate the impact of an innovative multi-component community and school-based program for type II diabetes and obesity prevention program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural children.
Epidemiology And Community Consequences Of Asbestos Exposure In WA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$879,876.00
Summary
We aim to explore the impact of asbestos exposure on the health of individuals using the Wittenoom workers and residents cohort studies and the Australian community with the formation of a new community based cohort study. Using data from the Wittenoom workers and residents studies, we will examine the impact of asbestos exposure on women�s health which has not been looked at before. We will examine if asbestos exposure affects psychosocial health and determine if long term supplementation with ....We aim to explore the impact of asbestos exposure on the health of individuals using the Wittenoom workers and residents cohort studies and the Australian community with the formation of a new community based cohort study. Using data from the Wittenoom workers and residents studies, we will examine the impact of asbestos exposure on women�s health which has not been looked at before. We will examine if asbestos exposure affects psychosocial health and determine if long term supplementation with Vitamin A for cancer prevention results in an increased risk of bone fractures. We will also examine the genetic susceptibility of asbestos related diseases in these cohorts, and create and validate an algorithm to derive measures of fibre counts from occupational histories. Earlier projections of mesothelioma in the general community have been based on extrapolations from disease incidence in the past. We intend collecting data on a new community based cohort, to examine the distribution of asbestos in the community in order to predict future cases of asbestos related disease and the perception, beliefs and knowledge that exists in the community of its potential health effects. With this new knowledge we will devise an intervention program with the aim of preventing future cases of asbestos related disease. As part of this process we will use a multimedia website as an information hub. This will allow us to experiment with the use of creative media to present personal and community experiences of living with asbestos and present scientific research and public health messages.Read moreRead less
SEARCH - Study Of Environment On Aboriginal Resilience And Child Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,114,618.00
Summary
The SEARCH program of research investigates the relationship between environmental determinants of health in a cohort study with five year follow up involving 800 urban NSW Aboriginal families with approximately 2000 children aged 0-17. A subset of 480 families will be recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of the impact of a health broker on (i) improving treatment of otitis media, and (ii) a feasibility study of an intervention to improve housing in 50 households. These two ....The SEARCH program of research investigates the relationship between environmental determinants of health in a cohort study with five year follow up involving 800 urban NSW Aboriginal families with approximately 2000 children aged 0-17. A subset of 480 families will be recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of the impact of a health broker on (i) improving treatment of otitis media, and (ii) a feasibility study of an intervention to improve housing in 50 households. These two studies will form the basis of an urban Aboriginal cohort study spanning 20 years with funding from alternate sources.Read moreRead less