Mapping the connectome that controls blood pressure. The connections that an individual brain cell receives from other cells ultimately determines its behaviour. Using a revolutionary new technique, the project will create a map of the brain cells that control blood pressure.
Risky business: a qualitative investigation into Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) risk and vulnerability among sex workers in three Pacific countries. This interview based research will investigate the sex work and HIV prevention issues in three Pacific countries (Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu). The study will provide evidence needed to develop interventions and services that respond to the local context and circumstances of the sex work order, and guide an effective response in these countries.
A system wide analysis of health financing equity in Cambodia. This project aims to evaluate equity in health care financing in Cambodia using state of the art methods such as financial and benefit incidence analysis. The project aims to produce novel results by integrating both public and private sectors of the health system, in place of the traditional public sector focus alone thereby enabling a 'whole-system' approach to the assessment of equity in health systems financing. Strengthening the ....A system wide analysis of health financing equity in Cambodia. This project aims to evaluate equity in health care financing in Cambodia using state of the art methods such as financial and benefit incidence analysis. The project aims to produce novel results by integrating both public and private sectors of the health system, in place of the traditional public sector focus alone thereby enabling a 'whole-system' approach to the assessment of equity in health systems financing. Strengthening the health systems of countries such as Cambodia by developing more predictable and sustainable sources of funding, will not only benefit Cambodia but also enable donors such as Australia to more effectively target their substantial aid investments to promote social and economic stability in the region.Read moreRead less
Evaluating military assistance in health emergencies. This project aims to examine the use of military forces in containing the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, and its repercussions for future humanitarian assistance operations. The involvement of military personnel in health emergencies has traditionally been controversial, but civil-military cooperation throughout the Ebola outbreak has been widely hailed as a success, potentially establishing a precedent with ramifications for humanitarian ....Evaluating military assistance in health emergencies. This project aims to examine the use of military forces in containing the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, and its repercussions for future humanitarian assistance operations. The involvement of military personnel in health emergencies has traditionally been controversial, but civil-military cooperation throughout the Ebola outbreak has been widely hailed as a success, potentially establishing a precedent with ramifications for humanitarian practices and Australian military capabilities. This project seeks to inform and enhance future disaster response by better understanding the roles, functions, responsibilities and limits of military assistance in health emergencies to inform future practice.Read moreRead less
The sociology of health data for sexuality and gender diverse people. This project aims to investigate the sociological dimensions of digital health data for sexuality and gender diverse people with complex health needs. It employs qualitative and co-design methods to engage with sexuality and gender diverse people, advocates, clinicians, decision-makers, and health data designers. The project expects to generate much-needed knowledge about the participation of sexuality and gender diverse peopl ....The sociology of health data for sexuality and gender diverse people. This project aims to investigate the sociological dimensions of digital health data for sexuality and gender diverse people with complex health needs. It employs qualitative and co-design methods to engage with sexuality and gender diverse people, advocates, clinicians, decision-makers, and health data designers. The project expects to generate much-needed knowledge about the participation of sexuality and gender diverse people in health data systems, with respect to trust, disclosure, stigma and prejudice. Expected outcomes include insight for enhancing health data systems for sexuality and gender diverse people. This project should provide significant benefits for the promotion of inclusive, safe and useful health data systems.Read moreRead less
Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evol ....Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evolutionary and mechanistic spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Read moreRead less
Weighing the impact: How do Australian families interpret and respond to population messaging about obesity, weight loss and physical activity? How do adults and adolescents - both fat and thin - respond to the range of obesity messages that they are exposed to in their everyday lives? This study investigates the attitudes and opinions of 150 families about current obesity campaigns, and will develop a practical template for improving current obesity messaging strategies.
Sexual well-being and ageing: a study of older Australian women. This research addresses important issues of ageism and sexism that together affect older women's health and well-being. The findings will inform the link between aging, sexuality and more general dimensions of health and well-being and advance our understanding of issues central to policy and services for older Australians.
The impact of gambling advertising, promotions, and sponsorship on children. This project aims to provide new and informative qualitative data aimed at preventing and reducing children’s exposure to gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship (GAPS) in sport. It uses a Commercial Determinants of Health Framework which investigates the impact of industry mechanisms on health outcomes. It explores this issue from three perspectives - children; sporting organisations; and policy makers. The pro ....The impact of gambling advertising, promotions, and sponsorship on children. This project aims to provide new and informative qualitative data aimed at preventing and reducing children’s exposure to gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship (GAPS) in sport. It uses a Commercial Determinants of Health Framework which investigates the impact of industry mechanisms on health outcomes. It explores this issue from three perspectives - children; sporting organisations; and policy makers. The project will have significant policy benefits by providing important evidence about the impact of gambling industry marketing strategies within sport, the decision making processes associated with gambling policy, and identifying leverage points for improving strategies to prevent GAPS from having a negative impact on children. Read moreRead less
Criminal justice outcomes of injecting drug use and methamphetamine smoking. Injection drug use (IDU) and methamphetamine smoking are associated with the majority of illicit drug-related harms and associated costs in Australia. We will extend our studies of people who inject drugs and people who smoke methamphetamine through record linkage to social and criminal justice datasets. We will characterise the trajectories of participants through social services (e.g. public housing) and law enforceme ....Criminal justice outcomes of injecting drug use and methamphetamine smoking. Injection drug use (IDU) and methamphetamine smoking are associated with the majority of illicit drug-related harms and associated costs in Australia. We will extend our studies of people who inject drugs and people who smoke methamphetamine through record linkage to social and criminal justice datasets. We will characterise the trajectories of participants through social services (e.g. public housing) and law enforcement systems to provide a comprehensive account of social and criminal justice impacts of injection drug use and methamphetamine use in Australia for the first time. Read moreRead less