Pathways To Avoidable And Unexplained Deaths In The Early Lifecourse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,108,086.00
Summary
There continues to be unacceptable numbers of avoidable deaths in early life in Australia, particularity among disadvantaged groups. This project will use novel, large-scale population data to identify and quantify the impact of risks to early life mortality and preventable pathways. This new knowledge will inform new strategies to prevent stillbirth and child deaths for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other populations.
A mortality profile of Victoria's Aboriginal (and non-Aboriginal) children 1998-2008 using an innovative method and research process. The development of a population mortality profile of Victoria's children that includes accurate Indigenous identification will provide robust information to assess the effectiveness of programs interventions and policies aimed at reducing preventable deaths in children. This research will contribute to state, national and international imperative to improve the co ....A mortality profile of Victoria's Aboriginal (and non-Aboriginal) children 1998-2008 using an innovative method and research process. The development of a population mortality profile of Victoria's children that includes accurate Indigenous identification will provide robust information to assess the effectiveness of programs interventions and policies aimed at reducing preventable deaths in children. This research will contribute to state, national and international imperative to improve the collection of Aboriginal death information in order to allow meaningful comparisons between Australian jurisdictions and Aboriginal people globally. The consistent imput of the Aboriginal community and relevant experts in all phases of the project will enable and strengthen links with those who can influence government and policy makers to effect change.Read moreRead less
Combining Health, Laboratory And Immunisation Data Sources To Identify Opportunities For The Prevention Of Chest Infections In Young Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,469.00
Summary
Chest infections are one of the major reasons children are admitted to hospital, particularly in Aboriginal children. This project will determine whether current vaccines have reduced hospital visits and how many children are affected by multiple infections. It will also identify where better vaccination programs are needed. This will be done by bringing together and analysing a range of infection and hospital records to paint a true picture of the impact of chest infections in children.
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0775808
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,240.00
Summary
Preventative health interventions for Indigenous children less than six years of age. It is well established that poor early childhood health has affects into adult life, for example, the relationship between child growth and development and likelihood of developing adult chronic disease. Some information is available about Victorian Indigenous children's health status; however little is known about effectiveness of preventative health interventions. This research proposes to work with Aborigina ....Preventative health interventions for Indigenous children less than six years of age. It is well established that poor early childhood health has affects into adult life, for example, the relationship between child growth and development and likelihood of developing adult chronic disease. Some information is available about Victorian Indigenous children's health status; however little is known about effectiveness of preventative health interventions. This research proposes to work with Aboriginal community controlled services to develop preventative interventions and measure consequent changes to child health outcomes. This will be achieved through building an initial evidence base from available data and service audits. This information will be used to develop interventions and identify measurable variables.Read moreRead less
MULTICENTRE BRONCHIECTASIS STUDY: A Collaborative And International Study Of Bronchiectasis In Indigenous Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,496,414.00
Summary
Aboriginal children have repeated pneumonia episodes; some get better while others develop bronchiectasis (a chronic lung disease). The risk factors associated with progression to bronchiectasis, and the natural history of bronchiectasis in this population is little known. Given the similarities of these diseases among indigenous populations of affluent countries and to increase study size, a collaborative and international study of Indigenous children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, New ....Aboriginal children have repeated pneumonia episodes; some get better while others develop bronchiectasis (a chronic lung disease). The risk factors associated with progression to bronchiectasis, and the natural history of bronchiectasis in this population is little known. Given the similarities of these diseases among indigenous populations of affluent countries and to increase study size, a collaborative and international study of Indigenous children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, New Zealand Maori or Pacific Islander and Alaskan Native) has been initiated. In Indigenous children, we aim to define the natural history of chronic moist cough (those at risk of developing bronchiectasis) and bronchiectasis, identify the risk factors associated with progression from early-mild disease (chronic moist cough) to bronchiectasis and to define the role of continuous antibiotic treatment in the prevention of recurrent pulmonary infections that are very common in these children. We plan to follow up Aboriginal children aged 12 months to 8 years diagnosed with bronchiectasis or chronic moist cough. For those diagnosed with bronchiectasis, after fully informed consent is obtained from the parent(s), the child will be allocated by chance to one of the 2 treatment regimes: (1) Azithromycin once-week or (2) placebo once-week. Children will receive the medication or the placebo for a period of 24 months. All these children will be clinically seen 2x-year by the study's paediatrician and 2x-year by the research nurse for the duration of the study. By documenting, for the first time, the epidemiology and natural history of children with chronic moist cough and bronchiectasis, the study will provide a much-needed rationale for their management. If we can scientifically show that this is true, that Azithromycin is effective in reducing the number of respiratory infections, this would be an achievable advance in the treatment in the field for these children.Read moreRead less
Trends and predictors of suicide in Australian children. The present study offers an opportunity to evaluate the trends and possibilities of this potential underestimation of suicides among Australian children and determine pathways to suicide with a specific focus on identifying predictive factors. This information is crucial to the future development of effective evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for children. The outcomes of the project will lead to improved recognition an ....Trends and predictors of suicide in Australian children. The present study offers an opportunity to evaluate the trends and possibilities of this potential underestimation of suicides among Australian children and determine pathways to suicide with a specific focus on identifying predictive factors. This information is crucial to the future development of effective evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for children. The outcomes of the project will lead to improved recognition and assessment of suicidal risk among children. The suicide process can and often does begin in early childhood and it is logical to assume that prevention and intervention strategies that are directly targeted to children may be a valuable tool in the prevention of suicide later in life.Read moreRead less
Determinants of children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a follow-up study from early childhood. This project investigates changes in preschool children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and influences on these changes, during the important period of transition to school. It will provide important information on how we might assist children to be more active, thereby avoiding the detrimental health and social outcomes of inactivity.
Turning Points: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles Of Intimate Partner Abuse And Social Adversity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,328,354.00
Summary
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is estimated to affect one in four women at some stage in their lives, and to impact on the lives of at least one million Australian children annually. This study will investigate the extent to which exposure to intimate partner abuse during pregnancy and in the first 12 months postpartum predicts child outcomes in middle childhood. The study will provide foundations for better targeting and tailoring of early intervention strategies to support children at risk of ad ....Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is estimated to affect one in four women at some stage in their lives, and to impact on the lives of at least one million Australian children annually. This study will investigate the extent to which exposure to intimate partner abuse during pregnancy and in the first 12 months postpartum predicts child outcomes in middle childhood. The study will provide foundations for better targeting and tailoring of early intervention strategies to support children at risk of adverse outcomes.Read moreRead less
Child health and developmental inequities: Evidence for precision policy. The project aims to use cutting edge analytic approaches applied to existing data to identify how policy interventions related to parents’ mental health, preschool programs, and the built environment can be optimised to reduce inequities in children’s mental, academic, and physical health outcomes. The project will be informed by our partners and advisers from across government portfolios and service delivery, ensuring tha ....Child health and developmental inequities: Evidence for precision policy. The project aims to use cutting edge analytic approaches applied to existing data to identify how policy interventions related to parents’ mental health, preschool programs, and the built environment can be optimised to reduce inequities in children’s mental, academic, and physical health outcomes. The project will be informed by our partners and advisers from across government portfolios and service delivery, ensuring that the evidence generated has contemporary policy relevance. The project expects to identify clear and actionable policy pathways to reduce child inequities in Australia, which can benefit decision makers by helping them to direct limited public funds towards intervention opportunities that will have the greatest impact.Read moreRead less
Child Health And Development: A South Australian Data Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,934.00
Summary
Children’s healthy development is important for their readiness to learn, academic achievement at school, and for their future health and economic capability. This study links whole-of-population administrative data from nine different government sources, and data collected as part of a natural experiment evaluating the effects of the South Australian Family Home Visiting program to inform policy and service delivery in child health and development in South Australia.