The Impact Of Urban Design On Physical And Mental Health Building Capacity For Research Across The Life Course
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,194,515.00
Summary
In the last decade there has been growing recognition that the urban environment influences health. The design of neighborhoods and public open space design as well as transport planning is associated with levels of walking, cycling and use of public transport, as well as the sense of community, positive mental health, depression and asthma. Low-density, automobile dependent suburbs discourage the use of non-motorized forms of transport and public transport use, thereby reducing physical activit ....In the last decade there has been growing recognition that the urban environment influences health. The design of neighborhoods and public open space design as well as transport planning is associated with levels of walking, cycling and use of public transport, as well as the sense of community, positive mental health, depression and asthma. Low-density, automobile dependent suburbs discourage the use of non-motorized forms of transport and public transport use, thereby reducing physical activity and opportunities for casual contacts between neighbors. Nevertheless, how to optimize urban environment to meet the needs of different population groups (eg. Children and young people, older adults, as well as the general public) has been largely unexplored. While more walkable neighborhoods (i.e., those characterized by higher density, mixed use planning and enhanced connectivity) may encourage able-bodied adults to do more working, the impact on children, young people and older adults is unknown. For example, adults generally report there is more traffic in more walkable areas. Exposure to traffic decreases the likelihood of children walking. In addition, higher levels of traffic increase traffic pollution, thereby increasing the likelihood of asthma. Moreover, while some research suggests that social capital or sense of community is higher in more walkable neighborhoods; other research suggests that living on a busy road decreases one�s social networks. Thus, it is likely that there is an optimum level of walkability that encourages sense of community. The proposed research will build upon and strengthen and extensive program of research examining the impact of the urban environment on adults, by adding programs of work with children and older adults. It will build our group�s capacity for research in this area, by building expertise within the whole team for appropriate qualitative, statistical and geo-spatial methods which will assist our team to work in this complex, multi-disciplinary area. With input from consumers, practitioners and policy-makers a major focus of this applied research program will be designing research that can be translated into policy and practice with the aim of creating urban environments that promote good health.Read moreRead less
Childhood Precursors Of Adult Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity And Diabetes- 16 Year Follow Up Of A Longitudinal Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$835,631.00
Summary
There is a world wide 'epidemic' of obesity and diabetes with rates tripling in young adults in the last twenty years. This is likely to lead to an upsurge in heart attack and stroke and to reverse many of the gains seen in this area in Australia. This project aims to study the childhood and antenatal precursors for the risk of adult obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The study involves The Perth longitudinal childrens 'Raine' cohort, a unique group of just under 3000 children, first m ....There is a world wide 'epidemic' of obesity and diabetes with rates tripling in young adults in the last twenty years. This is likely to lead to an upsurge in heart attack and stroke and to reverse many of the gains seen in this area in Australia. This project aims to study the childhood and antenatal precursors for the risk of adult obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The study involves The Perth longitudinal childrens 'Raine' cohort, a unique group of just under 3000 children, first monitored in the womb before mid pregnancy and then repeatedly through to the age of 13 years. Every 2 to 3 years the study children have been carefully assessed for changes in fatness, blood pressure and more recently, nutrition, physical activity and fitness, blood cholesterol and tendency to diabetes. Families have also been carefully monitored for a range of social characteristics and mental health. We already have evidence that about a fifth of the children at age 8 are particularly at risk of obesity, diabetes and cholesterol problems and high blood pressure. We now plan to study the children after puberty at age 16, when they will be adopting a range of more adult behaviours which may profoundly affect these risks. This study will provide comprehensive information on the children from before birth to adolescence and help pinpoint ways in which growth in the womb, and subsequent childhood behaviour interacts with influences of family, social factors, environment and mental health to affect long term risk of obesity, premature diabetes or heart disease. The study will also provide a basis for future examination of the links between genes, environment and health.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study Of Concussion In Children And Adolescents: Diagnosis, Recovery And Risk Factors For Poor Outcome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$277,000.00
Summary
Concussion is one of the most common neurological injuries and represents a significant public health issue in Australia. The most common consequences of concussive injuries are reduced attention, slowed response speeds and memory impairment. These cognitive processes are critical for performing common day-to-day activities in childhood and adolescence (e.g. acquiring new knowledge and skills, attending to school work). Approximately 20% of concussive injuries occur during participation in organ ....Concussion is one of the most common neurological injuries and represents a significant public health issue in Australia. The most common consequences of concussive injuries are reduced attention, slowed response speeds and memory impairment. These cognitive processes are critical for performing common day-to-day activities in childhood and adolescence (e.g. acquiring new knowledge and skills, attending to school work). Approximately 20% of concussive injuries occur during participation in organised sport. In adult populations, there are now evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of concussion in sport. Few well-controlled studies exist to identify the frequency and outcome of such injuries in child and adolescent populations, and there are currently no guidelines for diagnosis and management of concussion in children. Further, the academic and social consequence of concussion for the child remains unknown. This study will investigate the cognitive and behavioural outcomes of concussion in young children and adolescents and will use this information to modify and validate currently available adult concussion diagnosis and management paradigms for application with this population. This study will also investigate risk factors for poor outcome following concussion in children and adolescents, and provide age-appropriate data for use in the medical, behavioural and educational management of concussed children and adolescents. A total of 3000 children aged between 10 and 18 years will be recruited to participate in this study. All participants will undergo a baseline evaluation consisting of memory and attention tests, a behavioural rating scale, and measures of educational ability. Participants parents will also provide general health and demographic information. Children who are concussed during the year will be re-assessed within 48 hours of injury and again at 5 days, 10 days and 30 days post-injury to track recovery.Read moreRead less
The Pacific OPIC Study - A Four Country Study Of Obesity Prevention In Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,600,580.00
Summary
Obesity is a rapidly escalating, worldwide epidemic. Many countries recognise the need to prevent obesity but there is insufficient evidence about what interventions work. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities (OPIC) Project will provide data on the effectiveness of a range of interventions to prevent obesity among young people in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Prevention research is particularly required in countries such as Fiji and Tonga because their prevalence of obesity is ....Obesity is a rapidly escalating, worldwide epidemic. Many countries recognise the need to prevent obesity but there is insufficient evidence about what interventions work. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities (OPIC) Project will provide data on the effectiveness of a range of interventions to prevent obesity among young people in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Prevention research is particularly required in countries such as Fiji and Tonga because their prevalence of obesity is extremely high. The interventions used in this project will be culturally appropriate and include at least 1000 young people in each intervention group. The outcomes of this project will be applicable to both low- and high-income countries. This project will lead to a greater understanding of the socio-cultural, policy, and economic contexts and provide crucial evidence for public health action to prevent obesity.Read moreRead less