Forecasting The Impact Of Climate Change On Dengue Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$506,432.00
Summary
Dengue fever (DF) is the most important mosquito-transmitted viral disease in the world. The large-scale re-emergence of DF in the Asia-Pacific region during the past few decades has renewed its status as a serious international public health problem. Global climate change is anticipated to impact upon the biology and ecology of vectors and consequently the risk of DF transmission. The principal research aim of this study is to project the impact of future climate change on DF.
From Maps To Efficient Multi-parasite Control In The Philippines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,121.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths are major parasitic infections in Asia, causing anaemia, poor growth and poor school performance and death in some chronic schistosomiasis cases. We will use maps to demonstrate the geographic distribution of these parasites in the Philippines. We will estimate the impact and costs and benefits of parasite control programmes. This research will help plan more efficient parasite control and reduce the impact of these infections in the Philippines.
Spatial Simulation Modelling Of Containment Strategies For Pandemic Influenza
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,927.00
Summary
This research will develop a spatial simulation model to predict the spread of pandemic influenza within Australia. The resulting software program will be readily usable by disease managers, both during and prior to an outbreak, to predict the effect of various containment measures on the size, rate and location of disease spread, through a city, state or the nation. Deployed in _real time� after an outbreak has started in Australia, it will be used to predict infection spread and the containmen ....This research will develop a spatial simulation model to predict the spread of pandemic influenza within Australia. The resulting software program will be readily usable by disease managers, both during and prior to an outbreak, to predict the effect of various containment measures on the size, rate and location of disease spread, through a city, state or the nation. Deployed in _real time� after an outbreak has started in Australia, it will be used to predict infection spread and the containment effect of a range of interventions. The model would use data obtained during initial stages of the outbreak to refine the model, so allowing accuracy in daily spread prediction; similar use of spatial models occurred during the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the UK. In a pre-pandemic period the simulation model will be available to predict the containment effect of a range of response measures, such as travel restrictions, workplace and school closures, vaccination and antiviral usage. Specifically, this project will apply the simulation model to determine optimal use of limited resources such as the _when and where� targeting of antiviral drugs and initial supplies of vaccine.Read moreRead less
Using An Established Simulation Model To Determine Effective And Cost-effective Interventions To Mitigate Influenza Pandemics And Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,353.00
Summary
A novel disease spread and economic model is used to determine the cost-effectiveness of a range of mitigation strategies aimed at a future influenza pandemic. A simulation model generates data on which individuals become ill, morbidity and mortality characteristics, an economic costing model determines optimal interventions.
Fitness Versus Fatness: Disentangling Their Effects On Disease Outcomes And Estimating The Population Burden Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,537.00
Summary
Overweight and physical inactivity are two of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With increasing population levels of overweight, governments are increasingly advocating public health measures aimed at increasing physical activity levels or otherwise decreasing weight. There has been much research concerning which of these factors is the key prognostic factor for adverse health outcomes, but an ongoing lack of clarity of research findings has led to uncertainty as to ....Overweight and physical inactivity are two of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With increasing population levels of overweight, governments are increasingly advocating public health measures aimed at increasing physical activity levels or otherwise decreasing weight. There has been much research concerning which of these factors is the key prognostic factor for adverse health outcomes, but an ongoing lack of clarity of research findings has led to uncertainty as to the direction of recommendations for preventive health strategies and population lifestyle changes. In addition, the risks of overweight, in particular, have been accused of being exaggerated in both the scientific and lay literature. This is often due to the difficulty of dealing appropriately with time varying confounders which are also intermediate factors (such as hypertension). To date, no studies have performed careful longitudinal modelling of the joint effects of physical inactivity and overweight on cardiovascular events and diabetes while taking into account the effects of factors, such as hypertension or atherosclerosis, that influence both physical activity and overweight as well as disease, and simultaneously are consequences of these risk factors. Standard statistical methods are known to produce biased estimates in these situations but we will apply more recently developed statistical techniques to provide much improved estimation of these effects. After the statistical modelling stage, we will model the burden of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality associated with given levels of overweight and physical inactivity. These will be combined with population levels of overweight and inactivity to identify the fraction of the current and future burden of disease attributable to these risk factors.Read moreRead less
Implications Of The Increasing Duration Of Life Spent With Obesity For Population Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,830.00
Summary
As the prevalence of obesity at younger ages increases, people are living longer with obesity. We have recently shown that this has an increased risk of mortality and diabetes. In this project we will look at the extent to which an increasing length of time lived with obesity is also associated with increased risks of hypertension, heart disease, cancer, arthritis and disability. We will also look at the effect of this increasing duration on the overall health of Australian adults.
Combating Infectious Diseases: Eco-Epidemiology, Disease Mapping, And Travel Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,644.00
Summary
Infectious disease outbreaks are driven by complex interactions between humans, animals, vectors, and the environment. Globally, outbreaks have been increasing in frequency and magnitude, e.g. Ebola and SARS. There is an urgent need to improve public health intelligence by accurately identifying the causes, timing, and hotspots. This project will develop advanced modelling strategies for improving our understanding of outbreaks, and optimise public health interventions to protect human health.
Understanding The Sources Of Campylobacter In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,720.00
Summary
Campylobacter is a key cause of foodborne disease in Australia, with rates of illness amongst the highest in the world. Our project brings together academic, government and industry partners to harness new genetic techniques to better identify sources and risk factors for Campylobacter infection. The project will assist health agencies to include genomics in public health, with findings directly informing government policies and industry practices to minimise disease caused by Campylobacter.