Impact Of Health Policy On The Delivery Of Dental Services And Child Oral Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,304,799.00
Summary
This project will study the use of dental services by children and adolescents in Australia and how use relates to oral health outcomes. Variation in the support for the use of private dentists and the organisation and delivery of school dental services will be compared both within and across all states and territories so as to inform policy discussions on how to best improve child oral health.
Using Online Social Technologies To Improve Health Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Physical inactivity and poor eating habits are leading causes of death and disease in Australia. Our health behaviours are influenced by our social networks. What’s more, Australians love social technologies, such as Facebook and smartphones. My research aims to harness these two factors to create socially-influential health programs. I will work with video game developers to develop fun and engaging interventions, and a viral marketer and leading organisations to spread the interventions.
A Randomised Trial To Control Sexually Transmitted Infections In Remote Aboriginal Communities.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,847,403.00
Summary
This project will trial strategies for attaining clinical best practice in sexual health with an overall objective of reducing the high rates of sexually transmitted infection in remote Aboriginal communities in central and northern Australia. The trial will take place in 21 communities of which seven will be randomly assigned in each of the three years of the trial. This trial will determine whether strengthening primary health services can reduce the level of these infections.
Structure And Function Of Antimicrobial Therapies And Their Interaction With Upper Respiratory Biofilms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract are a major public health problem affecting millions of Australians. Commonly prescribed antibiotics are often not able to eradicate all bacteria as the bacteria often reside in a protective, self-produced gel-like matrix known as biofilm. This Fellowship aims to unravel the interaction of modern anti-infective therapeutics with the biofilm for the development of the next generation of safe and efficacious anti-biofilm strategies.
Looking Forward - Moving Forward Project: Transforming Systems To Improve Mental Health And Drug And Alcohol Outcomes For Aboriginal Peoples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,304,508.00
Summary
Despite the clear need for support, Aboriginal people do not access mental health and drug and alcohol services at a level that corresponds with their need. We need to know how services can respond appropriately to this high-risk group of people. This project brings together Perth-based services, researchers and local Aboriginal Elders to implement and evaluate a framework for organisational change that will transform the way in which services respond to Aboriginal people.
SCALE-C: Strategies For Hepatitis C Testing And Treatment In Aboriginal Communities That Lead To Elimination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,175,170.00
Summary
Prevalence of hepatitis C infection within the Aboriginal population is among the highest of any identifiable population in Australia. Highly effective, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, and their listing on the PBS in 2016 has revolutionised HCV clinical management in Australia. The SCALE-C study will evaluate an established test and treat model to rapidly scale-up DAA within four Aboriginal communities to determine both impact on community prevalence and ongoing transmission.
The Effectiveness Of A Responsible Hospitality Audit And Feedback Intervention To Reduce Alcohol Related Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,875.00
Summary
Alcohol is a major cause of death, injury and illness in Australia accounting for over 3,000 deaths and over 72,000 hospital admissions each year. Excessive drinking is estimated to cost the Australian community $7,560 million each year, representing 22% of all drug-related harm. Alcohol is a significant contributor to the occurrence of violence and crime. It is estimated that up to 70% of incidents attended by the police, and 77% of street offences such as assaults and malicious damage to prope ....Alcohol is a major cause of death, injury and illness in Australia accounting for over 3,000 deaths and over 72,000 hospital admissions each year. Excessive drinking is estimated to cost the Australian community $7,560 million each year, representing 22% of all drug-related harm. Alcohol is a significant contributor to the occurrence of violence and crime. It is estimated that up to 70% of incidents attended by the police, and 77% of street offences such as assaults and malicious damage to property, are alcohol-related. It is also estimated that 70% to 80% of night-time single-vehicle accidents are alcohol-related. A large proportion of assaults, offensive behaviour, malicious damage to property and drink driving occur following excessive drinking at licensed premises such as hotels and registered clubs. The risk of harm arising from the consumption of alcohol on licensed premises can be reduced by modifying such factors as service of alcohol to intoxicated patrons, service-supply of alcohol to underage patrons, management practices (eg. late closing) and environmental factors (eg. poor lighting). Auditing of licensed premises is an approach currently used by authorities to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. However, such audits do not focus on harm reduction and do not incorporate best practice audit and behaviour change features. No controlled studies have reported the effectiveness of such an audit approach in reducing the risk of violence and crime emanating from hotels and registered clubs. The proposed study aims to assess the effectiveness of a Responsible Hospitality Audit and feedback intervention in reducing service to intoxicated and underage patrons, and in reducing assaults-malicious damage to property following alcohol consumption on licensed premises. The outcomes of this study will be improved responsible service of alcohol actions and reduced alcohol-related crime associated with premises.Read moreRead less
Confronting everyday harms: preventing abuse of people with disability. The findings of the Disability Royal Commission necessitate new approaches to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Framed by recognition theory, this project proposes empirical research with young people with cognitive disability, using a new concept of ‘everyday harms’ in their paid relationships. The results will inform early responses to poor quality interactions in disability support. The strategic alliance ....Confronting everyday harms: preventing abuse of people with disability. The findings of the Disability Royal Commission necessitate new approaches to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Framed by recognition theory, this project proposes empirical research with young people with cognitive disability, using a new concept of ‘everyday harms’ in their paid relationships. The results will inform early responses to poor quality interactions in disability support. The strategic alliances with the government, industry and community partners will develop a practice framework to prevent everyday harms and the escalation to abuse, and to promote safety and wellbeing. The research has policy benefits for capacity-building in the sector to act on the rights and voices of people with disability. Read moreRead less
Inflammatory Pathways For Novel Therapeutic Interventions In Preterm Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$568,006.00
Summary
Preterm birth is common and carries severe risks for the child. Existing therapies are not very successful in arresting preterm labour or improving outcomes for the fetus. We have discovered that blocking inflammatory ‘sensor’ molecules can slow labour progression. This project will (1) increase our knowledge of the inflammatory pathways that initiate early labour, and (2) define the mechanism of action and safety of a new drug that has potential for delaying preterm birth in women.
Health, Economic, Psychological And Social Impact Of Educating Carers Of Patients With Advanced Pulmonary Disease (APD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,452.00
Summary
Our study aims to understand the health, economic and social costs associated with caring for patients with advanced pulmonary disease (APD) and to determine health, economic and social impact of improving the skills of caregivers of patients with APD has on patients and their carers. Patients with APD are a large population at high risk of health resource use, unnecessary medication use and emergency admission to hospital or residential care facilities. Although previous research has identified ....Our study aims to understand the health, economic and social costs associated with caring for patients with advanced pulmonary disease (APD) and to determine health, economic and social impact of improving the skills of caregivers of patients with APD has on patients and their carers. Patients with APD are a large population at high risk of health resource use, unnecessary medication use and emergency admission to hospital or residential care facilities. Although previous research has identified difficulties experienced by caregivers of the elderly in general, very little research has been undertaken with carers of patients with APD. The study will compare the usual practice of educating patients with APD who commence home oxygen therapy (HOT), and their carers, against a more detailed and individually targeted education program that increases the skills of patients and carers. This study has the potential to reduce hospital-residential care readmission, reduce carer distress, improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse effects of oxygen therapy and medication use, and minimize inappropriate presentation to tertiary care emergency departments.Read moreRead less