Global Corporate Challenge Evaluation: The evaluation of a low-cost, low-impact physical-activity workplace intervention. Societal increases in obesity and physical inactivity have led to consideration of workplace interventions as a potential for improving health. However, long-term evaluations of such interventions are rare. Here we will evaluate the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC), which engages employees to participate in a four month pedometer-based program aimed at increasing their physic ....Global Corporate Challenge Evaluation: The evaluation of a low-cost, low-impact physical-activity workplace intervention. Societal increases in obesity and physical inactivity have led to consideration of workplace interventions as a potential for improving health. However, long-term evaluations of such interventions are rare. Here we will evaluate the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC), which engages employees to participate in a four month pedometer-based program aimed at increasing their physical activity levels. We will follow 1000 participants for two years to determine the short and long-term health benefits of the program and to provide insight into factors that may improve the success of such programs. Such findings are essential for appropriate government and industry policy decisions in this area of chronic disease prevention. Read moreRead less
Planning female and male vaccination and cervical screening strategies to achieve optimal prevention of HPV-related disease. The findings from this research will inform the development of public health policy on the most cost-effective utilisation of resources for preventing cervical, anogenital and head/neck cancers, and genital warts, in women and men, due to human papillomavirus (HPV). We will evaluate strategies for using emerging screening and vaccine technologies to prevent HPV-related dis ....Planning female and male vaccination and cervical screening strategies to achieve optimal prevention of HPV-related disease. The findings from this research will inform the development of public health policy on the most cost-effective utilisation of resources for preventing cervical, anogenital and head/neck cancers, and genital warts, in women and men, due to human papillomavirus (HPV). We will evaluate strategies for using emerging screening and vaccine technologies to prevent HPV-related disease, and assess potential adverse outcomes of vaccination. Men are currently not covered by routine vaccination or screening programs; this research will assess the benefit to men of vaccinating women only, and will consider the impact of vaccination and other interventions targeted towards men.Read moreRead less
Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not ju ....Economic, social and cross cultural issues in non-pharmaceutical protection of front line responders to pandemic influenza and emerging infections. The protection of front line responders in a pandemic is essential to underpin an effective response. This research is the only work internationally which will address a key gap in evidence. This research has major implications for the national stockpile and for management of front line responders in a pandemic. These data are urgently needed, not just in Australia, but globally to inform pandemic planning and disease control policy around emerging infections and bioterrorism.Read moreRead less
Effectiveness and appropriateness of child restraints. This project aims to provide a definitive picture of the use, misuse and inappropriate use of child restraints in motor vehicles. It will evaluate the biomechanical and size deficiencies of current child restraints for the current population of children, and the implications for increased injury associated with these factors. This will provide a solid evidence base for improved child restraint design, education, and legislative changes.
Post-implementation economic evaluation of childhood vaccination programs. This project will develop a novel framework for assessing the value for money achieved by childhood vaccination programs. This will provide decision makers with methodologically sound economic assessments that incorporate real world program outcomes.
A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility ....A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility and use by women at risk of abortion. It will also assess whether pharmacists feel confident, well-trained and supported to provide it and whether abortion rates have reduced. The study will provide policymakers with the evidence to assess whether this important initiative is effective and what is needed to improve its effectiveness.Read moreRead less
Understanding how local and regional accessibility are associated with active travel, and related health and economic impacts. Exercise and walking are vital for a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. The accessibility and ’walkability’ of where one lives and works is key to supporting physical activity. Consequently, public health practitioners, urban planners and the transport sector face a common strategic challenge; shifting people from private vehicles to active forms of transport. This project ....Understanding how local and regional accessibility are associated with active travel, and related health and economic impacts. Exercise and walking are vital for a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. The accessibility and ’walkability’ of where one lives and works is key to supporting physical activity. Consequently, public health practitioners, urban planners and the transport sector face a common strategic challenge; shifting people from private vehicles to active forms of transport. This project aims to model the health and economic impacts of the ease of: walking and cycling within neighbourhoods; and travelling across wider geographical areas on time spent walking and cycling for transport among both adults and children. This project aims to enable the research team to maximise the opportunities the environment provides for both positive health and well-being in Australia.Read moreRead less
Evaluating the impact of new interdisciplinary interventions to enhance dog health to benefit community health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities. Indigenous health and welfare is of major concern for Australians. This project, which focuses on the dog, also recognises that the dog harbours a number of diseases that can infect humans. To maintain sustainable dog health programs to reduce disease in dogs, and, as a corollary, have positive impact on human health and welfare, culturally-rel ....Evaluating the impact of new interdisciplinary interventions to enhance dog health to benefit community health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities. Indigenous health and welfare is of major concern for Australians. This project, which focuses on the dog, also recognises that the dog harbours a number of diseases that can infect humans. To maintain sustainable dog health programs to reduce disease in dogs, and, as a corollary, have positive impact on human health and welfare, culturally-relevant, evidence-based education programs are critical. Dog health programs will indirectly improve the expectations, standards and self-worth of many Indigenous Australians. As a consequence, the national benefits include the development of environmentally sustainable Indigenous communities, and the strengthening of Australia's social and economic fabric especially in rural and remote areas.
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The prevalence and impact of intellectual disability among Indigenous Australians in Western Australia. There is limited information on the extent and impact of intellectual disability among Indigenous Australians. The proposed project will develop a credible baseline picture of intellectual disability among Indigenous Australians in Western Australia by investigating the true prevalence, clinical and sociodemographic correlates, and morbidity and mortality patterns. It builds on a successful co ....The prevalence and impact of intellectual disability among Indigenous Australians in Western Australia. There is limited information on the extent and impact of intellectual disability among Indigenous Australians. The proposed project will develop a credible baseline picture of intellectual disability among Indigenous Australians in Western Australia by investigating the true prevalence, clinical and sociodemographic correlates, and morbidity and mortality patterns. It builds on a successful collaborative relationship between Disability Services Commission of WA and academia; and is unique in integrating information from multiple data sources. The findings will have direct health and social benefits by providing information on which to base appropriate health strategies and care networks to service particular needs.Read moreRead less
The Norfolk Island Carbon and Health Evaluation Program: a case study of personal carbon trading for reducing obesity and greenhouse gas emissions. This project tests a system of Personal Carbon Trading for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving health. Carbon credit cards given to everyone on Norfolk Island are designed to financially reward people for reducing energy use (fuel and fatty food mainly) by increasing walking/cycling and improving nutrition to improve health