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Impact Of Extreme Prematurity Or Extreme Low Birthweight On Young Adult Health And Well-Being: The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) 1991-92 Longitudinal Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,496.00
Summary
Significant advances in medical care have increased survival of the tiniest and most premature babies. Those who have benefited from modern medicine are now in their mid-20s. We know they have more problems in childhood and adolescence compared with those born full term. However, we know little about their health problems in adulthood. This study will inform us of adult health problems in this vulnerable group and provide vital information about the best care for this increasing group of adults.
1+1- A Healthy Start To Life:Targeting The Year Before And The Year After Birth In Aboriginal Children In Remote Areas
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,272.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians in remote communities are less healthy and more socially disadvantaged than other Australians. This influences the quality of the intrauterine environment. Babies often suffer malnutrition and recurring infections during infancy which are exacerbated by their less than optimal birth status and contribute to chronic conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal failure) in adulthood. Existing health services are costly to Government and do not achieve their potential ....Indigenous Australians in remote communities are less healthy and more socially disadvantaged than other Australians. This influences the quality of the intrauterine environment. Babies often suffer malnutrition and recurring infections during infancy which are exacerbated by their less than optimal birth status and contribute to chronic conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal failure) in adulthood. Existing health services are costly to Government and do not achieve their potential for promoting health and providing quality care. Evidence suggests redesigned models based on continuity of care, focused, proactive family support and workload reform will improve maternal and infant outcomes. New models need to be developed, costed, implemented and evaluated providing governments with the evidence base to initiate service improvement. Such models will have applicability elsewhere in Australia. Professor Lesley Barclay and her team of researchers from Charles Darwin University will conduct research into developing such a model. The project aims to improve the quality of care for remote dwelling Aboriginal women and infants in the year before, during and the year after birth by providing evidence for, and facilitating changes to, service delivery. This will enhance the potential for the development of resilience and well-being of their children. It will also test if service improvements can improve the health of women and reduce childhood disease and therefore reduce the impact of health conditions occurring in adulthood which have their origins in the early stages of life.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Birth Cohort Study Of The Development Of Atherosclerosis In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,067.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) are leading causes of death and illness in adults in Australia. The changes in blood vessels that lead to these conditions begin before birth. This project investigates the factors that contribute to these early changes from birth onwards, and will facilitate development of targeted prevention in high-risk groups to reduce cardiovascular disease in later life.
Improving Weight Loss By Intermittent Use Of Very Low Energy Diet: The TANGO Diet Trial (Temporary Phases Of Accelerated Weight Loss For Noticeably Greater Outcomes)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,736.00
Summary
Very low energy diet (VLED) is being increasingly used for the treatment of obesity, but the resultant weight loss is usually transient, partly because it induces powerful adaptive responses that inhibit weight loss and promote regain. We have shown that 'taking a break from dieting' for 2 weeks reduces these adaptive responses. In this project we will thus test whether weight loss outcomes with VLED can be improved via intermittent use, where periods on the VLED are alternated with 'breaks'.
Centre Of Research Excellence (CRE) In Newborn Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,622,320.00
Summary
Problems around birth are common and can have long-term implications, including into adulthood. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all newborn babies and their families by determining factors that enhance outcome and assessing the benefits and consequences of new treatments for mothers and babies. We are world leaders in this field and are dedicated to training the next generation of health professionals in the care of newborn babies, in Australia and the rest of the world.
Stress During Pregnancy And The Developmental Origins Of Renal Disease In Aboriginal Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$866,044.00
Summary
There is an epidemic of renal failure in Aboriginal people who also have high rates of premature birth of small babies. This project aims to understand the causes of kidney failure in Aboriginal people through testing if stress during pregnancy leads to the birth of preterm, small babies with small poorly formed kidneys that lead to kidney failure in later life. The effect of stressors impacting on pregnant women including infections, exposure to smoking and social stressors will be examined.
Whole Body Vibration For Osteoporosis: Shaking Up Our Treatment Options
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$961,017.00
Summary
Our aim is to examine the ability of vibration alone and in combination with osteoporosis drugs to reduce hip fracture in postmenopausal women. In Australia, 1 in 2 women >60yrs, will sustain an osteoporotic fracture. Only drugs notably decrease fracture; however none are entirely effective and some patients don’t respond. Whole body vibration has emerged as a potentially effective therapy. A combination of vibration and drugs may enhance the effects of both and revolutionise treatment.
The Get Healthy Coaching Service To Reduce The Burden Of Low Back Pain: Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness, And Scalability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,108,389.00
Summary
Many improve after discharge from treatment for low back pain (LBP), however some experience worsening symptoms and seek costly additional health care. Get Healthy Service® is a free phone-based health coaching service that supports people to remain physically active, however there is no co-ordinated referral pathway to the service. We will test the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and scalability of a discharge support system linking chronic LBP patients to the Get Healthy Service®.
Although medical tests and procedures can save lives, sometimes too much medical intervention can be harmful. In low back pain, for example, high numbers of X-ray, CT and MRI scans are provided unnecessarily. There is good evidence that imaging scans for low back pain can cause more harm than good. At the same time, people can miss out on treatments that we know to be effective. This fellowship will enable me to discover ways to ensure people receive the right care for low back pain.
Understanding The Mechanisms For Ameliorating/preventing Antipsychotic-induced Obesity In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,496.00
Summary
There has been a sharp worldwide increase during the last decade in antipsychotic prescriptions (mostly “off-label”) to paediatric patients. One important issue is that antipsychotic drugs were developed for adult patients and normally have serious side-effects. This project will not only reveal the mechanisms of antipsychotic-induced obesity side-effects in youth, but will also explore intervention strategies for preventing antipsychotic-induced weight gain/obesity in paediatric patients.