Improving Pre-pregnancy Health And Pregnancy Outcomes In North Queensland Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Communities.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,819.00
Summary
It is widely recognised that one of the best protections against poor pregnancy outcomes is to have women commence pregnancy in good health, because healthy mothers tend to have healthy babies. The key aim of this research program is to identify opportunities and time-points for effective primary, secondary and tertiary interventions to improve health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of childbearing age and their infants in north Queensland communities.
Establishing Antenatal Screening Uptake For Fetal Anomalies In The NT And Exploring Indigenous Womens Understanding
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,875.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate the views of Indigenous women, their families and health service providers about antenatal screening tests for abnormalities like Down syndrome. This will contribute knowledge about why there is low uptake of screening amongst Indigenous women, and whether changes in the provision of antenatal care are required. This is important because all women, regardless of their culture or location, should be offered the same opportunities and care during pregnancy.
Cannabis And Mental Health In Cape York Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,786.00
Summary
High rates of cannabis use and dependence are key factors contributing to the high mental health burden in Indigenous Australians. To date, there is very limited understanding of the nature and prevalence of these impacts in remote Indigenous communities where cannabis use is very high. The key objective of this research program is to document, for the first time, the mental health impacts of cannabis use in Aboriginal Australians living in remote Cape York communities.
Pandemic Influenza Containment Strategies In Aboriginal Communities: What Is Acceptable And Feasible?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,056,688.00
Summary
Influenza is a serious disease with a much greater impact in Indigenous communities. This project will work with Aboriginal communities in NSW, north Qld and WA on modifying the national pandemic influenza plan to develop control strategies that are acceptable to the culture and circumstances of those communities. A template and acceptable process will then be offered to other Indigenous communities, finally leading to negotiation to modify implementation of pandemic influenza plans.
Acceptability And Effectiveness Of The DESMOND Diabetes Self-management Program For Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,966.00
Summary
The ‘Diabetes Education Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed’ (DESMOND) program was developed in the UK to help people live with their diabetes. It has been shown to be beneficial for a number of ethnic minority groups in the UK and has been trialed in Australia. At the request of Indigenous community and health care services, this project will test whether this program would be widely accepted by and be beneficial to Indigenous Australians.
Improving Food Systems In Remote Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Communities For Better Food Security
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
The proposed project aims to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop and trial a monitoring and evaluation learning approach to improving the capacity of organisations and services to improve the food system and services they deliver, to provide an affordable and healthy food supply. This proposed research will contribute to building an evidence-base on effective strategies to improve food security for Indigenous people living in remote Australia.
I am a public health researcher investigating improvement of Indigenous primary health care service systems and the social determinants of health for Indigenous Australians.
Rheumatic Fever Follow-up Study (RhFFUS) _ Determining The Optimal Clinical Response For Minor Heart Valve Abnormalities In An Indigenous Australian Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,394,792.00
Summary
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are a major health issue for Indigenous Australians. In a previous study heart ultrasounds in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children frequently showed suspicious but not diagnostic changes. RhFFUS (Rheumatic Fever Follow-Up Study) aims to see if these changes are associated with a higher risk of ARF and progression to RHD. If this is the case these high risk children could be identified earlier and offered regular antibiotics ....Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are a major health issue for Indigenous Australians. In a previous study heart ultrasounds in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children frequently showed suspicious but not diagnostic changes. RhFFUS (Rheumatic Fever Follow-Up Study) aims to see if these changes are associated with a higher risk of ARF and progression to RHD. If this is the case these high risk children could be identified earlier and offered regular antibiotics to prevent this cause of heart disease.Read moreRead less
Indigenous Community Action To Reduce Harms Associated With Heavy Cannabis Use In Cape York
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$814,163.00
Summary
Cape York Indigenous communities together with Queensland Police, are working to reduce cannabis availability. Community leaders report that cannabis use is widespread in their communities with associated problems such as violence, mental illness and economic hardship. This project will deliver tailored strategies to reduce the demand for cannabis whilst providing support and education about the effects of cannabis and reasons to avoid using it over a three year period.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Azithromycin To Reduce The Morbidity Of Severe Bronchiolitis In Indigenous Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,456,802.00
Summary
Acute lower respiratory infections are the commonest cause of hospitalisations and retrievals from remote communities. Early severe respiratory infections likely impair lung growth. We will examine whether azithromycin (antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties) should be used to treat infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis to reduce the severity of bronchiolitis and prevent rehospitalisation. The study potentially improves acute clinical care as well as prevents future respiratory illness.