This project will update the Wittenoom cohorts by tracing cancers and deaths in Australia and Italy. This will improve risk estimates of lung cancer and mesothelioma. In particular we will see if that risk declines with more than 40 years since exposure, in collaboration with Italian colleagues. We will continue developing an interactive community website to act as a support platform, a layman's bridge to medical research knowledge, public health information and an archive of personal stories.
Using Total Population Data To Describe The Characteristics Of Respiratory Infections In Order To Predict Future Epidemics And Recommend Vaccination Strategies For Western Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,892.00
Summary
Respiratory infections are a major reason for children to go to hospital. I am an epidemiologist and I will be using previously collected and linked laboratory and hospital data from Western Australian children to better understand how these infections flow through the population over different seasons. I will then be able to predict future epidemics of respiratory infections and how different vaccine programs might have an impact in reducing how many children are affected by these infections.
Asbestos And Related Diseases In Western Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,727.00
Summary
This project will extend the follow-up of large, well established groups of people who have experienced significant exposure to blue asbestos, either through their jobs or environmentally. Mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis are common among these groups. This study will provide information on the effects of different levels of exposure to blue asbestos. Ways in which these diseases may be prevented through the diet and other lifestyle habits will be closely examined. This project provides ....This project will extend the follow-up of large, well established groups of people who have experienced significant exposure to blue asbestos, either through their jobs or environmentally. Mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis are common among these groups. This study will provide information on the effects of different levels of exposure to blue asbestos. Ways in which these diseases may be prevented through the diet and other lifestyle habits will be closely examined. This project provides important data on the dose-response effects of a known carcinogen. Due to the integrated nature of our already established follow up systems we are in a unique position worldwide to achieve these aims. The dose response relationships between exposure and disease identified by this study will contribute to occupational health and safety exposure standards and compensation policy in Australia. The information on lifestyle factors is appropriate for use in many different health promotion interventions. Ongoing contact with the cohorts is critical to our involvement in collaborative preventative and biological studies.Read moreRead less
Domestic air quality: towards the setting of guidelines. Air quality standards have been developed to protect human health. Although people spend most of their time indoors there are no standards and only a few guidelines for indoor air pollution (IAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of IAP that may worsen asthma in children. Childhood asthma will be used as a health indicator due to its high prevalence, cost to the healthcare system and implications for respiratory morbidity ....Domestic air quality: towards the setting of guidelines. Air quality standards have been developed to protect human health. Although people spend most of their time indoors there are no standards and only a few guidelines for indoor air pollution (IAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of IAP that may worsen asthma in children. Childhood asthma will be used as a health indicator due to its high prevalence, cost to the healthcare system and implications for respiratory morbidity in adult life. We expect to identify levels of IAP that will represent a health risk as well as the factors that may contribute to increased IAP in homes.Read moreRead less
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors On Lifetime Risk Of Obstructive Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,414.00
Summary
Classification of lifetime phenotypes of obstructive lung disease allows investigation of the effect of environmental and genetic influences on specific phenotypes along with the interactions between them. Through improved phenotyping ,the currently inconsistent relationships between asthma and COPD and their associations with genetic and environmental factors may become clearer.
Extended Follow Up Of The RENAL Study And Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis In Acute Kidney Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,271.00
Summary
Acute kidney failure is increasingly common and associated with very high mortality. The long term consequences for patients and their kidney function are unknown. By extending follow up of the RENAL study, which explored how the dose of dialysis affected survival, and combining it with other trials from around the world, we will provide the strongest evidence regarding how dialysis treatment can reduce this mortality and define the long term consequences of this condition.
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.
The Incidence And Outcomes Of Chronic Kidney Disease Amongst Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,120.00
Summary
The aim of this body of work is to improve understanding of the incidence and outcomes of chronic kidney disease for Indigenous Australians, in order to try to better predict outcomes and guide clinical and policy-level decision making.