Uptake, Sustainability And Impact Of Scaling Up Point-of-care Testing For Sexually Transmissible Infections In Remote And Regional Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,461,788.00
Summary
Aboriginal youth experience unacceptably high rates of curable sexually transmissible infections (STI). Coverage of testing and treatment is insufficient for disease control but could be enhanced via point-of-care (POC) testing. We have been trialling a highly accurate STI/POC diagnostic in the TTANGO (Test, Treat ANd GO) trial. The TTANGO2 partnership will assess the long-term uptake, sustainability and impact of POC testing in 20 Aboriginal health services in regional/remote WA over 5 years.
The Future Of Tobacco Control: Exploring The Feasibility, Acceptability And Cost-effectiveness Of New Policy Directions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,752.00
Summary
We will examine the practical feasibility, ethical and public acceptability, and likely cost effectiveness of a number of different ways of reducing tobacco smoking and the harm caused by smoking in Australia. These policy options will include: (1) more restrictive policies towards tobacco products (such as prohibiting tobacco smoking and creating a government monopoly on the manufacture and supply of tobacco); (2) encouraging smokers to switch from smoking cigarettes to less harmful ways of usi ....We will examine the practical feasibility, ethical and public acceptability, and likely cost effectiveness of a number of different ways of reducing tobacco smoking and the harm caused by smoking in Australia. These policy options will include: (1) more restrictive policies towards tobacco products (such as prohibiting tobacco smoking and creating a government monopoly on the manufacture and supply of tobacco); (2) encouraging smokers to switch from smoking cigarettes to less harmful ways of using nicotine, such as using nicotine patches or gum ; (3) using new biotechnologies to improve smokers chances of quitting (e.g. genetic screening of smokers to select the most effective way of helping them to stop smoking and vaccinating ex-smokers against the effects of nicotine); and (4) new biotechnologies that may prevent nonsmokers from beginning to smoke (e.g. vaccinating nonsmokers against the effects of nicotine) or reduce the chances of their developing tobacco-related diseases (e.g. screening the population for genes that predict an increased susceptibility to nicotine dependence and tobacco-related diseases). The project will provide important information that will assist government in formulating policies to reduce the rate of cigarette smoking in the Australian population below current levels.Read moreRead less
Early Childhood Education: Can Kindergarten Reduce The Risk Of Adult Metabolic Syndrome And Cardiovascular Disease?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,381.00
Summary
This study aims to examine the pre-school early learning environment and its impact on adult cardiovascular health outcomes and consequently health system costs. If it is found that adult metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health outcomes can improve with attendance at kindergarten, it may be possible to encourage kindergarten attendance for all children to systematically alter the developmental trajectory of children and as such improve the cardiovascular health of the entire population.
Enhanced Prevention And Control Of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
The entire developed world is witnessing dramatic increases in bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the likes of which have not been seen since prior to the emergence of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s. My vision is to reduce the burden of STIs by identifying innovative, cost-effective approaches to STI prevention and management that are acceptable to the populations affected (including healthcare workers and people are risk of STIs) and able to be implemented on a broad scale.
Should Australia Introduce A National Chlamydia Testing Program? Evaluation Of A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,510.00
Summary
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmissible infection that can lead to infertility in women. About 4% of young adults have it, yet most are unaware they have it. Chlamydia is easy to diagnose and treat, but it is not known whether annual testing can reduce its spread. Over1 million tests are conducted each year in general practice, costing the government $30 million. This evaluation of a well-established trial of chlamydia testing in young adults will resolve the debate of whether annual t ....Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmissible infection that can lead to infertility in women. About 4% of young adults have it, yet most are unaware they have it. Chlamydia is easy to diagnose and treat, but it is not known whether annual testing can reduce its spread. Over1 million tests are conducted each year in general practice, costing the government $30 million. This evaluation of a well-established trial of chlamydia testing in young adults will resolve the debate of whether annual testing works and is a good use of money.Read moreRead less
Longitudinal Study Of Modifiable Influences For The Development Of Harmful Young Adult Alcohol Use And Related-problems.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,484,496.00
Summary
Young adulthood is a time of high vulnerability for alcohol use problems that are the major preventable contributor to death and injury in this age period. This 5-year project will identify modifiable influences in adolescence and young adulthood that contribute to harmful alcohol use. A cohort of almost 3,000 young people initially recruited in Victoria in 2002 (aged 11 to 15) will be followed for two further waves of data collection in 2010-11 (age 19 to 23) and 2012-13 (age 21 to 25).
The Prevention And Control Of Sexually Transmitted Infections In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,785.00
Summary
The increasing sexually transmitted infection diagnoses in Australia have considerable public health implications and there are still many questions about the most effective way to prevent and control their transmission. The goal of my fellowship is to build on my existing program of research and generate new evidence to further our understanding of the epidemiology of these infections and identify the most effective ways for their prevention and control.
Prevention Of Sexually Transmissible Infections In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Australians experience a substantial burden of health and social consequences related to sexually transmissible infections (STIs). The Career Development Fellowship will enable me to conduct research to improve sexual health of people at risk of STIs, through evaluating new strategies that increase the accessibility of STI testing; information technology to improve the efficiency of health services; and a better understanding of the impact of social media on young people’s sexual health.
A Developmental Approach To Suicide Prevention And Related Harm Among Australian Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Suicide among Australian youth is a significant and increasing problem in Australia, and is currently the leading cause of death among those aged 15 - 44 years. Early prevention is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with suicide, yet typically occurs too late to have long-term impact. In order to prevent suicidal risk, this Fellowship will focus on improving evidence-based childhood prevention, as well as risk identification, to increase the timeliness of intervention.
Population Dynamic Modelling Of The Public Health And Health Care Cost Implications Of Intervention To Prevent Lifestyle-related Disease And Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,789.00
Summary
There is growing interest in a more preventive model of health care in Australia. More than a third of poor health is attributable to risky behaviours, such as tobacco and alcohol use, obesity and poor nutrition, with lower socio-economic and Indigenous populations particularly affected. This research will develop new techniques to identify intervention strategies that should be given funding priority to achieve maximum improvement in population health and reduce the health inequalities.