A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A General Practice Based Intervention To Prevent Chronic Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,357.00
Summary
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes contribute greatly to the burden of disease in Australian society. Prevention of these conditions is a high priority for the health system. There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent chronic disease in those at high risk. However the feasibility of intervening through general practice and other existing services has not been demonstrated. We have previously conducted research on a structured approach ....Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes contribute greatly to the burden of disease in Australian society. Prevention of these conditions is a high priority for the health system. There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent chronic disease in those at high risk. However the feasibility of intervening through general practice and other existing services has not been demonstrated. We have previously conducted research on a structured approach to helping patients with risk factors for chronic disease (such as smoking, poor nutrition, hazardous alcohol consumption and physical inactivity) including both cardiovascular disease and diabetes in general practice. This study aims to evaluate the impact of recalling patients to general practice for a visit to assess their risk of chronic disease and to help them to lower their risk by changes to smoking, diet, alcohol consumption and physical activity behaviours. Practices in the intervention group will receive training, practice visits, resources, and referral pathways to enable them to invite eligible patients to attend the practice for an assessment and management of their risk factors. This will include provision of education materials, support for behaviour change, referral to diet education and physical activity program and follow up. The feasibility of this type of vascular disease prevention intervention for high-risk patients has not been trialled previously in Australia. The findings of this research will help to inform Australian and State health policy especially the preventive care initiatives recently announced by the Council of Australian Governments. It will also inform practice leading to better guidelines for general practice preventive care, better support for general practice to provide preventive care for patients at risk of chronic disease and better support for patients to reduce their risk of chronic disease by changing their behaviour.Read moreRead less
N-glycan Profiling As A Risk Stratification Biomarker For Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,644.00
Summary
This study sets out to establish an N-glycan biomarker profile of suboptimal health in a well-established cohort of adult Australians, the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS) and Chinese (SHS cohort) . This biomarker profile will contribute to the future development of N-glycan traits as a tool for (i) risk prediction of chronic disease onset, in particular those chronic conditions that constitute type II diabetes mellitus, and (ii) the prediction of a patient’s response to treatment.
This project will investigate the causes of respiratory disease and poor lung function across the life course. Using existing lung health data from Australia and Europe, we will determine which behavioral, environmental, occupational, nutritional, other modifiable lifestyle, or genetic factors play a role in lung health. This research will enable the development of a personalised risk predictor application for implementation with patients and health care providers as well as the general public.
Prevention Of Musculoskeletal Disorders And Cardiovascular Disease – Improving The Evidence-base For Primary Health Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
Bone and joint problems and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are common in general practice. My research will provide high quality information on how to prevent these conditions in general practice. For example, the studies test: how assessments of people’s risk of a disease might be used to improve their lifestyle behaviours; a new way for GPs to identify patients at high risk of CVD and ways to prevent osteoarthritis progression and to improve bone health in young women and children.