Chronic Disease Prevention In Priority Populations Via Scalable Health Behaviour Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Globally the burden of chronic disease is enormous. Smoking, risky alcohol use, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity are modifiable risk factors of chronic conditions. This fellowship aims to prevent chronic diseases in priority populations who have poorer health outcomes including disadvantaged groups, those living in regional and remote areas and people born overseas by implementing and evaluating scalable health behaviour interventions to improve health outcomes.
Reducing The Social Gradient In Tobacco Smoking Rates: The Road Less Travelled; Novel And Innovative Paths For Improved Cessation Rates And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Smokers from low-socioeconomic status (SES) background want to quit as much as those from high-SES, but have lower cessation rates. Current behavioural and pharmacological methods are having limited impacts. New evidence-based treatment strategies with improved cessation rates for low-SES smoking populations are urgently needed. This research will test new and innovative cost-effective treatments to improve smoking cessation and results will have direct impacts on health practice and policy.
Reducing The Burden Of Disease And Inequity Related To Preventable Health Risk Behaviours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
Smoking is Australia’s top ranked cause of disease. It is also one of the main causes of inequalities in health outcomes. My research aims to test strategies to reducing smoking and improve other lifestyle behaviours, like diet and exercise, alcohol, and sun protection, in the most disadvantaged groups. To achieve this goal, I have partnered with health and non-health care services. I expect my research to reduce the gap in health behaviours and health outcomes between more and less advantaged s ....Smoking is Australia’s top ranked cause of disease. It is also one of the main causes of inequalities in health outcomes. My research aims to test strategies to reducing smoking and improve other lifestyle behaviours, like diet and exercise, alcohol, and sun protection, in the most disadvantaged groups. To achieve this goal, I have partnered with health and non-health care services. I expect my research to reduce the gap in health behaviours and health outcomes between more and less advantaged sectors of society.Read moreRead less
COPD is a smoking-related airways disease that costs the Australian community over $8.8 billion/yr. It is predicted to become the third most common cause of death in the world by the year 2020 and is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. There are no effective treatments for COPD. I have been working with a number of anti-inflammatory treatments in a smoking mouse model and will extend my research to see if these treatments can be optimised to treat COPD.
Public Health Policies And Interventions To Reduce Tobacco-related Harms Among Socially Disadvantaged Populations And ‘low Probability Quitters’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Tobacco continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Those who are socially disadvantaged are at higher risk of smoking, which contributes to the health gap between the rich and poor. This research will provide evidence for policy makers on interventions which could reduce smoking among the most disadvantaged in society. It will also examine whether less harmful nicotine products could a reduce health risks in smokers who find quitting difficult.
Investigatin The Causes Of Failed Efferocytosis In COPD-emphysema With A View To Identifying Novel Theraputic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
COPD is a leading cause of death. Smoking is the major cause of COPD and many sufferers are left with permanent damage and need ongoing treatment even after smoking cessation. Current treatments for COPD generally have limited efficacy. The project will identify the reason for the large number of dying cells and defective clearance of these cells that we have identified in the airways in COPD and study novel treatments that we hope will improve the health and well being of those with COPD.