Research and action in medical practitioner wellbeing: Testing a conceptual model. Being a medical practitioner in general practice is a hazard to wellbeing. However, not all practitioners succumb. Factors that promote resilience as well as vulnerability have been identified and developed as a conceptual model. This research aims, firstly, to enhance this model by consulting directly with general practitioners. Secondly, this enhanced model will be evaluated on stratified samples within two soci ....Research and action in medical practitioner wellbeing: Testing a conceptual model. Being a medical practitioner in general practice is a hazard to wellbeing. However, not all practitioners succumb. Factors that promote resilience as well as vulnerability have been identified and developed as a conceptual model. This research aims, firstly, to enhance this model by consulting directly with general practitioners. Secondly, this enhanced model will be evaluated on stratified samples within two socio-economic regions and a rural area in Victoria. Thirdly, its heuristic value will be assessed by evaluating an intervention program based on the model. The outcome will help to enhance wellbeing and retain medical practitioners in under-resourced primary care settings.Read moreRead less
Alcohol use and harm minimisation among Australian university students. Alcohol-related harms cost Australians over $15.3 billion per year, and in 2008 were described by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as having reached 'epidemic proportions'. Young people are at greatest risk of alcohol-related damage and university students are among the heaviest drinkers, with up to 70% engaging in binge drinking. By examining the social dynamics of university students' drinking practices and their understanding of ....Alcohol use and harm minimisation among Australian university students. Alcohol-related harms cost Australians over $15.3 billion per year, and in 2008 were described by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as having reached 'epidemic proportions'. Young people are at greatest risk of alcohol-related damage and university students are among the heaviest drinkers, with up to 70% engaging in binge drinking. By examining the social dynamics of university students' drinking practices and their understanding of harm minimisation, together with the policies and measures offered by colleges and State health authorities, the proposed project will yield a new evidence base and innovative theoretical approach for developing fresh strategic harm minimisation interventions.Read moreRead less
The role of the internet in building social capital amongst homosexually active men: virtual communities in HIV prevention. Social capital comprises features of social organisation such as civic participation, norms of reciprocity and trust in others that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit, including health and wellbeing. The proposed research focuses on the role of the internet in producing the networks that engender social inclusion and community connectedness. There is scepticism about ....The role of the internet in building social capital amongst homosexually active men: virtual communities in HIV prevention. Social capital comprises features of social organisation such as civic participation, norms of reciprocity and trust in others that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit, including health and wellbeing. The proposed research focuses on the role of the internet in producing the networks that engender social inclusion and community connectedness. There is scepticism about whether the 'virtual community' of the Internet can build social capital. The study will explore the potential benefits as well as harms to those homosexually active men who use the internet to access health information, meet sexual partners and build friendships that affirm gay identity and community inclusion.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100387
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,782.00
Summary
User driven interventions in the reduction of drug-related harm: analysing structural barriers and capacity building among drug user organisations. Although Australia's consumer-centred approach to harm reduction has been widely praised, consumer participation remains limited in countries such as Britain and Canada. Entailing an international comparative analysis of these three sites, this project focuses on building capacity and reducing structural barriers among drug user organisations.
An ethnographic study of obesity risk in a disadvantaged community. This project will investigate how families who are seen as ‘at risk’ of developing obesity respond to Australia's largest obesity intervention, and if messages about healthy eating and increased physical activity are acted upon. Information gathered will provide an important context for what works (and doesn’t work) in obesity intervention.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Financial Counselling Intervention And Smoking Cessation Assistance To Reduce Smoking In Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Groups
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,029,662.00
Summary
Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are more likely to smoke than other sectors of the community. This difference has been attributed, in part, to increased rates of relapse. Relapse is strongly and consistently predicted by financial stress. This project attempts to reduce relapse by reducing financial stress among disadvantaged smokers through the provision of financial counselling as an adjunct to NRT.
Socio-economic determinants and health inequalities over the life course: Australian and English comparisons. Our multidisciplinary investigation will yield Australia's first major body of knowledge on the socio-economic determinants of health and health inequalities over the life course. It will point the way towards policies that can promote health and reduce the health inequalities experienced by disadvantaged individuals and families. It will indicate how improving the health of ageing Aus ....Socio-economic determinants and health inequalities over the life course: Australian and English comparisons. Our multidisciplinary investigation will yield Australia's first major body of knowledge on the socio-economic determinants of health and health inequalities over the life course. It will point the way towards policies that can promote health and reduce the health inequalities experienced by disadvantaged individuals and families. It will indicate how improving the health of ageing Australian men and women can increase productivity and reduce needs for health services during the rapid population ageing that lies ahead. Comparisons with England will inform policy choices. We will train researchers who will play a future role in building Australia's evidence base to guide constructive policies to 2020 and beyond.Read moreRead less
Living Alone in Australia Project (LAAP). This study investigates one aspect of the changing nature of Australia's social fabric. It asks whether the sharp rise in living alone reflects a breakdown in Australia's social fabric or simply marks a change in the way in which the fabric is woven. Living alone has important implications for social policy, service provision and housing. But before these implications are identified we need a much better understanding of who lives alone and what living ....Living Alone in Australia Project (LAAP). This study investigates one aspect of the changing nature of Australia's social fabric. It asks whether the sharp rise in living alone reflects a breakdown in Australia's social fabric or simply marks a change in the way in which the fabric is woven. Living alone has important implications for social policy, service provision and housing. But before these implications are identified we need a much better understanding of who lives alone and what living alone means for people in terms of their social ties. By understanding the causes and consequences of the increasing popularity of living alone the study will help identify those who are at ?risk? and thus assist with effective targeting of supports and interventions.Read moreRead less
Understanding women's experiences of unplanned pregnancy and abortion. The economic, health and social costs to the Australian community of unplanned pregnancies and abortions constitute a public health concern of undoubted significance. Debates in both policy and public arenas are hampered by a lack of comprehensive reliable evidence about incidence of abortion and the factors underlying decisions to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Further, there is considerable variation among Australian stat ....Understanding women's experiences of unplanned pregnancy and abortion. The economic, health and social costs to the Australian community of unplanned pregnancies and abortions constitute a public health concern of undoubted significance. Debates in both policy and public arenas are hampered by a lack of comprehensive reliable evidence about incidence of abortion and the factors underlying decisions to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Further, there is considerable variation among Australian states regarding abortion-related legislation. The data generated from this project will establish an evidence base, inform potential legislative change and monitor any effects, and improve delivery of appropriate health services and strategies to prevent unplanned pregnancies and their adverse consequences.
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Community capacity building for healthy lifestyles (CBHL) initiative: engaging communities in childhood obesity prevention in disadvantaged areas. This project will develop and focus-test a new community engagement model for engaging disadvantaged communities in childhood obesity prevention programs. The community engagement model will overcome disadvantaged communities' non-participation in prevention programs, and inform culturally tailored childhood obesity prevention strategies.