Severe Influenza: Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects & Public Health Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,659.00
Summary
The 2009 flu pandemic exposed gaps in Australia's surveillance & public health policies. Using a hospital surveillance system (FluCAN) set up after the emergence of the pandemic virus, I will assess epidemiological, clinical & public health aspects of influenza to answer questions such as: what is the effectiveness of the influenza immunisation program? What is the burden of disease of severe influenza? Which forms of surveillance are best for different settings in Australia & in Asia-Pacific?
What Works To Reduce Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Smoking? A National Evaluation Of Tobacco Control Initiatives For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,603.00
Summary
My study ties in with a large national project that aims to find out what works to reduce smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I will look specifically at one tobacco control approach and its effect on steps toward quitting and staying quit in this group. Together with findings from the broader study, this research will provide valuable new information to help reduce smoking, the number one killer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Investigating The Progression And Complications Of Acute Rheumatic Fever And Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Multi-jurisdictional Linked Data Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,009.00
Summary
Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease can result in severe heart problems and death, even in young people. In Australia, these conditions are experienced most often by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and migrants. To change this, we need to understand how and why the disease worsens after a person is diagnosed, something which is unclear at present. This research project will use different sources of health information and advanced statistical methods to investigate this.
Molecular Epidemiology Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection In The Northern Territory, Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
The Northern Territory (NT) of Australia has the highest jurisdiction-specific rates of tuberculosis (TB) in Australia, and TB is a disease that disproportionately affects Indigenous people. The factors that contribute to the spread of TB in the NT are incompletely understood. We plan to use technology known as “whole genome sequencing” of bacterial DNA to better the understanding of the spread of TB in the NT. This will help guide TB control policies.
Understanding The Interplay Between The Gut-kidney Axis In People With Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$63,721.00
Summary
In chronic kidney disease (CKD), uremic toxins are believed to alter the biochemical setting, causing trouble in gut microbiota and intestinal barrier. 30% of transplant recipients experience gastrointestinal (GI) intolerance. We aim to understand the role of gut microbial biomarkers, food, and probiotics, for predicting progression of CKD; describe patient experiences; and discover the relationship between GI symptoms, faecal microbial diversity, and bacteria in kidney transplant and dialysis.
Preventing Violence-related Deaths Among Individuals Exposed To The Criminal Justice System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,502.00
Summary
Violence is a public health problem. People who have criminal justice contacts are more likely to die and violence-related deaths are common. Not much is known about these deaths. This research will examine the violence-related deaths among young people who have justice contacts in Queensland. It will also examine violence-related deaths among adults who have been in prison from 12 different countries. This is the first study to comprehensively examine violence-related deaths in this group.
Improving Epidemiological Assessment For The Prevention Of Travel-related Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Understanding the epidemiology and healthcare burden of travel-related infections is important in order to improve the provision of pre-travel preventive healthcare in Australian travellers. Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceptions of travel-related risks, attitudes towards travel, and pre-travel preventive health seeking behaviour is also critical to improve the provision of safe travel advice and optimise pre-travel preparation among Australian travellers.
A Study To Describe The Impact Of Improved Affordability On Food Choices Made By Indigenous Customers In Remote Community Stores In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$129,245.00
Summary
Poor nutrition is a major contributor to the level of disease experienced by Indigenous Australians, particularly those living in remote communities where the cost of food is higher than elsewhere, and people generally have low incomes. The cost of food and income are considered key factors limiting dietary improvement. This study explores the impact affordability has on food choice in remote Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Australian Malnutrition project aims to explore the burden and impact of malnutrition particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in hospital. The project includes the development and validation of the Australian Nutrition Tool (ANT) and validating the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) as an appropriate screening tool for Indigenous Australian patients. The project also aims to determine the prevalence of adult malnutrition and explore its burden and impact.
An Investigation Of Dietary Patterns And Transitions In Disadvantaged Australian Preschool Children: A Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
The current proposal explores the time of introduction of sugary foods/drinks, their longitudinal trajectory pattern, and their relationship to dental decay and overweight and/or obesity in disadvantaged Australian preschool children (from birth to age 3 years). It uses advanced research methods such as systematic reviews, longitudinal trajectory statistical analysis and structural equation modelling analysis.