Reducing The Burden Of Physical Inactivity And Excessive Sedentary Behaviour Through FIT (Feasible, Inclusive, Thorough) Guidelines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,060,520.00
Summary
Public health guidelines concentrate on the least feasible (for the average adult) types of physical activity and place little emphasis on light intensity movement or sitting. My research program will inform future FIT (Feasible, Inclusive, Thorough) guidelines to assist policymakers, health professionals, and members of the public to improve healthy lifestyles in Australia.
Developing Robust Biomarkers For Vascular Cognitive Impairment And Dementia: Adding V To The ATN Research Framework
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,289,215.00
Summary
The main objective of this research is to develop biomarkers for vascular dementia. It builds upon the longitudinal studies and international consortia that I lead. The studies will use multimodal MRI, advanced retinal imaging, mass spectrometry and other techniques to establish and validate robust biomarkers of vascular contributions to dementia. The findings will help achieve a definitive diagnosis of vascular dementia and quantify vascular pathology in someone with dementia.
Optimising Engagement In Cardiac Secondary Prevention: A Health Literacy Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Many people struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle after a heart attack. Health literacy is the ability to understand and use health information for better health, but little is known about its role in long-term behaviour change. This research will follow 408 people over 2 years to identify whether health literacy impacts upon lifestyle change after a heart attack. The study will also co-design interventions with consumers and clinicians that aim to improve people’s health literacy.
Adolescent investments can create a triple dividend for health: across adolescence; through late life; and into the next generation. Yet adolescence remains neglected and health trends over time have been unfavourable. This application focuses on the most neglected aspects of adolescent health. It builds on earlier work with the Lancet, longstanding Australian cohorts and a recently awarded NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence to answer the most pressing questions of policy makers.
The Implementation And Evaluation Of Living Evidence In The Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health problem. Improving outcomes for patients with CKD requires the translation of research into clinical care. However, scientific research that underpins the management of CKD has rapidly increased, and traditional methods to summarise and inform clinical care are out of date. This project will develop, evaluate, and implement a new approach, known as ‘living-evidence’, that translates research evidence in real-time into the management of patients.
Improving Health Outcomes Of Preterm Newborns In Low- And Middle-income Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Preterm birth (being born too soon) affects 1 in 10 births worldwide. In many low-income countries, preterm babies die for lack of effective care around the time of childbirth. My research aims to answer whether medicines such as steroid injections (to develop the baby’s lungs) and tocolytics (drugs to slow down or stop labour) actually help preterm babies born in low-income countries. I will also find ways to better measure how many women experience preterm birth in low-middle income countries.
Prediction Of Fracture By Clinico-genetic Profiling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,339,215.00
Summary
The loss of bone with advancing age is the main cause of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Bone loss is highly variable between individuals, and we are not sure why. I want to find out factors that contribute to bone loss, and then use this knowledge to identify individuals at high risk of excessive bone loss for early prevention. My goal over the next 5 years is to create a new clinico-genetic model for assessing the rate of bone loss, and predicting the risk of fracture for an individual.
A Risk Stratification Tool For The Prevention Of Avoidable Perinatal Mortality And Morbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidi ....Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidity.Read moreRead less
Healthy Lungs For Life: A Life Course Approach To Reduce COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,491,398.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) causes breathing distress, disability and premature death. I have shown that COPD mostly has its origins in childhood. This means we can now identify early life risk factors to prevent COPD or help us catch it early, to improve health. My 5-year vision is to reduce the dire burden of COPD by creating evidence to change guidelines and policy and facilitating the transfer of that knowledge to practice.
The Bacterial Type IX Secretion System In Polymicrobial Dysbiosis And Chronic Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,900,000.00
Summary
Periodontitis (severe gum disease) affects 1 in 3 adults and has been linked with heart attacks, cancer and dementia. I will lead a multidisciplinary team investigating the interaction between disease causing bacteria in the mouth and the immune response which results in destruction of the tooth’s supporting tissues and allows bacteria to enter the blood stream. The expected outcome is the development of a novel therapy which will stop progression of disease associated with these pathogens.