From Suspician to Intervention : Improving responsiveness to abuse of the elderly in acute and sub-acute health care. Early identification of risk and an integrated multidisciplinary response across the health service would be effective in responding to the multiple and complex behavioural and social issues which contribute to aged abuse as it presents in emergency, acute and sub-acute care, but are currently often ignored in health services and the literature. We propose that effective use of ....From Suspician to Intervention : Improving responsiveness to abuse of the elderly in acute and sub-acute health care. Early identification of risk and an integrated multidisciplinary response across the health service would be effective in responding to the multiple and complex behavioural and social issues which contribute to aged abuse as it presents in emergency, acute and sub-acute care, but are currently often ignored in health services and the literature. We propose that effective use of this "window of opportunity in health care" could extend the level of community response to this vulnerable group of people. Read moreRead less
Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not ju ....Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not just in Australia, but globally to inform pandemic planning and disease control policy around emerging infections and bioterrorism.Read moreRead less
Development of new interventions and treatment for schistosomiasis morbidity control. Australia has played a lead role in Parasitology research. It is vital to remain at the forefront in combating the human and livestock diseases that parasites cause. Vaccine assessment and the large scale analysis of patient tissues are vital to the biotechnology, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries with outcomes leading to innovative strategies for control. Politically there is value as it is altruistic ....Development of new interventions and treatment for schistosomiasis morbidity control. Australia has played a lead role in Parasitology research. It is vital to remain at the forefront in combating the human and livestock diseases that parasites cause. Vaccine assessment and the large scale analysis of patient tissues are vital to the biotechnology, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries with outcomes leading to innovative strategies for control. Politically there is value as it is altruistic to develop new tools, technologies and treatments for the Asia/Pacific region. Economically, Australia will have first pass at developing the intellectual property arising. As well, the therapies would be developed locally to the benefit of Australia's human therapeutics industry and bio-reagent manufacturers.Read moreRead less
Pandemic Influenza, Human Resources and Critical Infrastructure Dependencies: Mitigating The Impact on Hospitals. Pandemic planning is conducted from a health-centric model which only considers subsystems within health. This study will determine the impact of a pandemic on the hospital system by failures of human resources and external systems (such as power, finance and teleocmmunications) which comprise critical infrastructure of society. The results will enable identification of key weak poin ....Pandemic Influenza, Human Resources and Critical Infrastructure Dependencies: Mitigating The Impact on Hospitals. Pandemic planning is conducted from a health-centric model which only considers subsystems within health. This study will determine the impact of a pandemic on the hospital system by failures of human resources and external systems (such as power, finance and teleocmmunications) which comprise critical infrastructure of society. The results will enable identification of key weak points, strengthening of health systems and resilience in the event of a pandemic or other disruption.Read moreRead less
Dissecting the shared genetic architecture of psychiatric and psychological traits with application to prediction of genetic risk. Identification of the early phase of psychiatric disorders is considered critical for early intervention which is the essence of prevention. At present, the main obstacle to targeted early intervention strategies in psychiatric disorders is the non-specific nature of early stage symptoms. Many psychiatric disorders present with symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety ....Dissecting the shared genetic architecture of psychiatric and psychological traits with application to prediction of genetic risk. Identification of the early phase of psychiatric disorders is considered critical for early intervention which is the essence of prevention. At present, the main obstacle to targeted early intervention strategies in psychiatric disorders is the non-specific nature of early stage symptoms. Many psychiatric disorders present with symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety in the early stages, yet best intervention treatments are dependent on the final (unknown) diagnosed disorder. Prediction of genetic risk is likely to make an important contribution for identification of individuals at risk of specific psychiatric disorders so that the best early intervention treatment can be administered. Read moreRead less
Towards a cost-effective therapy for osteoporosis using Australian indigenous emu oil. Emu oil has a potent anti-inflammatory property. This project aims to show in rodents whether its use can overcome the inflammatory condition and osteoporosis caused by aging, menopause and cancer chemotherapy. This research could lead to development of an emu oil-based therapy for major health problems and have immense social and economic implications.
Improving Outcome after Stroke through Earlier Rehabilitation: The Very Early Rehabilitation Research Program. Stroke presents a major, growing global public health challenge accounting for 25% of all chronic disability. Treatments that reduce the burden of stroke are urgently needed, and early rehabilitation may significantly reduce chronic disability. A large, high quality, National Health and Medical Research Council funded clinical trial is at the heart of the A Very Early Rehabilitation Tri ....Improving Outcome after Stroke through Earlier Rehabilitation: The Very Early Rehabilitation Research Program. Stroke presents a major, growing global public health challenge accounting for 25% of all chronic disability. Treatments that reduce the burden of stroke are urgently needed, and early rehabilitation may significantly reduce chronic disability. A large, high quality, National Health and Medical Research Council funded clinical trial is at the heart of the A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial (AVERT) program. The trial tests whether a simple, rehabilitation intervention (early and intensive out of bed activity) results in fewer deaths and less disability for stroke sufferers and is cost effective. If effective the intervention could be adopted across different health services both here and overseas, reducing the global burden of stroke.Read moreRead less
Better prevention and management of disabling back pain. This project will establish a program of back pain research within an inter-disciplinary research centre focused on the prevention and management of physical disability.