The Sydney Myopia Study: Prevalence And Risk Factors For Myopia And Other Eye Conditions In School-age Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,375.00
Summary
This study aims to establish the exact extent of increasing levels of myopia in young Australians and the frequency of other treatable eye conditions such as reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia) and squint. We also aim to exam in detail, risk factors associated with myopia, such as parental myopia, living conditions and educational pressures, particularly those associated with reading and other forms of near-work. Increased understanding of factors leading to increasing myopia prevalence may en ....This study aims to establish the exact extent of increasing levels of myopia in young Australians and the frequency of other treatable eye conditions such as reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia) and squint. We also aim to exam in detail, risk factors associated with myopia, such as parental myopia, living conditions and educational pressures, particularly those associated with reading and other forms of near-work. Increased understanding of factors leading to increasing myopia prevalence may enable design of preventive strategies that could limit future increases in the ocurrence of myopia in Australia. The prevalence of myopia is increasing world-wide. In many Asian countries, it has reached epidemic proportions (80-90%) in young, educated people. In many other countries close to half the younger population is now short-sighted. Data from the Blue Mountains Eye Study and Melbourne Visual Impairment Project in older persons have suggested that the prevalence of myopia is increasing in Australia. Comparison with our recent pilot study on school children indicates that myopia prevalence has increased 2 to 3-fold in recent decades. Myopia or short-sightedness is now one of the five major causes of blindness. In countries where the prevalence of myopia is high, it is one of the top three. Myopia requires expensive optical and-or surgical correction of the refractive error for visual functioning. Unfortunately correction does not prevent the development of visual impairment and blindness from complications of myopia. Late in life, even low myopia is associated with an increased risk of both glaucoma and cataract. Myopia therefore imposes additional major health costs because of the burden of eye disease and the support costs for people affected by myopia-associated low vision or blindness. With increasing prevalence, the health care costs of myopia are likely to continue to rise in Australia.Read moreRead less
On The Scene: The Epidemiology Of HIV Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) In Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,397.00
Summary
This PhD will focus specifically on HIV among men who have sex with men in Victoria in effort to identify factors that may explain recent increases in rates of new HIV diagnoses and explore characteristics associated with HIV risk. It will incorporate surveillance and epidemiological data, examinations of local health promotion and HIV prevention initiatives and incorporate modelling methods for HIV to support HIV prevention programs and inform health and service planning in Australia.
Understanding The Health Effects Of Biomass Smoke In Australian Towns And Cities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$172,392.00
Summary
Wildfires have become more frequent and severe the world over and the health impacts of the associated air pollution is a major gap in the current evidence. Working with lead agencies in air quality regulation, public health and fire management I will examine and compare the health effects of air pollution from deliberate burns, bushfires, wood heaters and other sources of air pollution. The research will focus on respiratory and heart disease to inform public health and individual patient care.
The National Survey of Adult Oral Health will interview and dentally examine 7,500 people aged 15 or more across all States and Territories of Australia. It will provide a national snap-shot of the nation's oral health, including levels of tooth loss, dental decay and gum disease. The survey, to be conducted in 2004-04, will be directed by researchers at the Australian Research Center for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Commonw ....The National Survey of Adult Oral Health will interview and dentally examine 7,500 people aged 15 or more across all States and Territories of Australia. It will provide a national snap-shot of the nation's oral health, including levels of tooth loss, dental decay and gum disease. The survey, to be conducted in 2004-04, will be directed by researchers at the Australian Research Center for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Commonwealth and State-Territory health departments. Occurring 17 years after the first National Oral Health Survey of Australia, this new survey will monitor changes in oral health among all Australians. The survey will identify groups at particular disadvantage in terms of oral diseases, and it will search for lifestyle and community-level hazards that increase the risk of oral disorders. The study will have a compare patterns of dental health among people born before and after the fluoride generation of adults born in the 1960s when most of Australia's capital city water supplies became fluoridated. The study has been designed to automatically capture national statistics on general health among the 7,500 study participants over the next decade. The researchers will use that information to study links that have been observed in other countries between gum disease and heart disease. Results from the survey will provide the basis for monitoring progress towards national health targets and provide information to help direct dental health services into the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Establishing Australian Health Based Targets For Microbial Water Quality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$174,799.00
Summary
It is of great public health importance to ensure that our drinking water supplies are safe. This is true both for conventional drinking water supplies and for supplies derived from alternative water sources, including water derived from recycled sewage. National guidelines exist for management of drinking water and recycled water supplies, but currently there are no targets for determining whether water has an acceptably low level of infectious agents. This project involves a number of steps to ....It is of great public health importance to ensure that our drinking water supplies are safe. This is true both for conventional drinking water supplies and for supplies derived from alternative water sources, including water derived from recycled sewage. National guidelines exist for management of drinking water and recycled water supplies, but currently there are no targets for determining whether water has an acceptably low level of infectious agents. This project involves a number of steps to develop national consensus on health targets for microbial water qualityRead moreRead less
Assessment Of The Impact Of Climate Variability On The Transmission Of Ross River Virus Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$168,125.00
Summary
It is a significant scientific and public health issue to assess the potential impact of climate change on population health. As human-induced global climate change continues, questions about its possible consequences command increasing attention. Australia has a great level of climate variability. Climate zones extend from temperate areas into the tropics and the climate fluctuates over time. Also, it is predicted that Australia lies in the region where the climate pattern will be affected most ....It is a significant scientific and public health issue to assess the potential impact of climate change on population health. As human-induced global climate change continues, questions about its possible consequences command increasing attention. Australia has a great level of climate variability. Climate zones extend from temperate areas into the tropics and the climate fluctuates over time. Also, it is predicted that Australia lies in the region where the climate pattern will be affected most in the 21th century. However, little research has to date been conducted on the potential public health impact of climate variability and change in Australia. This project aims to assess the effect of climate variability on the transmission of Ross River virus infection and other vector-borne diseases which may yield important insights into the potential public health consequences of climate change.Read moreRead less
Understanding And Preventing Gastroenteritis And Foodborne Disease In Elderly Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,684.00
Summary
Foodborne and gastrointestinal diseases amongst older people are an emerging concern for the Australian public and an overstretched health care system. In this study, I will undertake research to understand the pattern of disease among elderly people using data from national surveys of gastroenteritis and surveillance of infectious diseases. This study will provide evidence for strategies to control foodborne disease and gastroenteritis in elderly people and aged care homes.
Reducing Maternal Depression Two Years After Birth: Follow-up Of A Cohort Within A Community Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,920.00
Summary
Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Suppo ....Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Support for Mothers). PRISM involves eight areas participating in a range of primary care and community based strategies designed to mobilise appropriate community support for mothers and children with a view to reducing maternal depression and improving maternal physical health and recovery after birth. The other eight areas are participating as comparison communities. Evaluation in PRISM is assessing major health outcomes for mothers and wider community benefits (flow-on effects) of the intervention program. Process and impact evaluation has also been undertaken to document and assess the different program elements and enhance the reproducibility of the program if successful. All women giving birth in the 16 areas are currently being surveyed six months after birth (from August 2000-February 2002). Within PRISM it is now proposed to follow-up women again two years after birth, to assess the impact of the intervention program on: *recovery from depression among the group of mothers in both intervention and comparison areas who were depressed six months after birth; and *the overall prevalence of depression and physical ill-health in all mothers. This follow-up study has the capacity to provide infromation on the poorly documented natural history of maternal depression from birth through the next two years in a large sample, including both urban and rural residents.Read moreRead less