Assessing Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Effectiveness: Integrating Transmission Models, Genetics And Cohort Data To Inform Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,597.00
Summary
Between 2009-12 a very large epidemic of whooping cough occurred in Australia. More surprisingly during the course of the epidemic the bacteria that cause whooping cough showed genetic changes that seemed to avoid protection provided by the current vaccine against whooping cough in Australia. This grant seeks to use mathematical models of whooping cough transmission to explain how this occurred and to establish whether alternative vaccination strategies might improve the control of this disease.
Risk Factors For Long-term Chronic Disease Events In HIV-positive Persons: The D:A:D Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$925,659.00
Summary
The D:A:D Study is a large, international study assessing risk factors for chronic disease events in HIV-positive patients. We know these events, such as heart attacks and cancers, increase with age. And we also know that these events are more common in HIV-positive people. Over the next five years, D:A:D will assess risk factors for chronic disease events in HIV-positive people as they age, and help optimise patient monitoring and management.
Enterovirus, Vitamin D Status And Inflammation At The Clinical Onset Of Type 1 Diabetes In Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,542.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease that is increasing in incidence among Australian children. This project will build on an exsisting study to provide new information on the role of enteroviral infection, vitamin D status and the associated inflammatory changes in blood at the onset of disease.
HIV Treatment As Prevention: A Longitudinal Assessment Of Population Effectiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$783,160.00
Summary
This project is a large-scale evaluation of an HIV strategy known as ‘treatment as prevention’ (TasP). Through routine and repeat HIV testing for gay men and early treatment initiation following diagnosis, TasP aims to reduce HIV community infection rates. Through the establishment of a large cohort of gay men in NSW and Victoria, this study will track HIV testing, treatment and management to assess the real-world efficacy of TasP for reducing HIV infections among this at-risk population.
Risk Of Hepatitis C Reinfection Among People With Current Injecting Drug Use Following Successful HCV Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,245,228.00
Summary
In Australia, hepatitis C (HCV)-related morbidity and mortality are rising. One of the most important recent breakthroughs in clinical medicine is the approval of safe, simple, interferon-free HCV therapies with cure rates >95%. Although people who inject drugs account for the majority of new and existing cases of HCV, reinfection following treatment can occur. The goal of this Project Grant is to examine HCV treatment and reinfection following successful therapy among people who inject drugs ....In Australia, hepatitis C (HCV)-related morbidity and mortality are rising. One of the most important recent breakthroughs in clinical medicine is the approval of safe, simple, interferon-free HCV therapies with cure rates >95%. Although people who inject drugs account for the majority of new and existing cases of HCV, reinfection following treatment can occur. The goal of this Project Grant is to examine HCV treatment and reinfection following successful therapy among people who inject drugs.Read moreRead less
Viral Load, HIV Treatment, And HIV Transmission In Serodiscordant Male Homosexual Couples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,452,298.00
Summary
HIV treatment reduces the concentration of HIV in the body. In heterosexuals, current studies will determine the effectiveness of HIV treatment in preventing onwards HIV transmission. In contrast, there has been very little such research in homosexual men, who comprise 70% or more of people with HIV in Australia. This study will follow for four years over 200 male homosexual couples in which one is HIV positive and the other negative, to investigate the role of HIV treatment in HIV prevention.
Using An Established Simulation Model To Determine Effective And Cost-effective Interventions To Mitigate Influenza Pandemics And Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,353.00
Summary
A novel disease spread and economic model is used to determine the cost-effectiveness of a range of mitigation strategies aimed at a future influenza pandemic. A simulation model generates data on which individuals become ill, morbidity and mortality characteristics, an economic costing model determines optimal interventions.
Developing A System For Comprehensive Quantitative Evaluation Of Public Health Strategies Against HIV/AIDS In Australia: Assessing The Past, Understanding The Present And Planning For The Future
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,358.00
Summary
The overall goal of this project is to develop and implement a system which will make optimal use of all available data on HIV/AIDS from different sources in Australia, uniquely integrate the data routinely into an innovative evaluation framework which will be developed using best modelling and economic practices, and conduct analyses which will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia’s HIV policy and program response to prevent new infections and plan for clinical care required fo ....The overall goal of this project is to develop and implement a system which will make optimal use of all available data on HIV/AIDS from different sources in Australia, uniquely integrate the data routinely into an innovative evaluation framework which will be developed using best modelling and economic practices, and conduct analyses which will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia’s HIV policy and program response to prevent new infections and plan for clinical care required for people living with HIV.Read moreRead less
Improving Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Initiation For People Living With HIV In Australia: A Realistic And Feasible Approach?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,722.00
Summary
Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has improved the lives of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study will investigate barriers, incentives and reasons that influence decision making of PLHIV and clinicians regarding whether to start ART and when. The study will examine the potential public health impact of promoting ART use on the HIV epidemic. The study will make significant contributions to improvement of ART use and advances in HIV prevention.