The Relationship Of Body Composition, Renal Impairment And Inflammatory Cytokines In Indigenous Persons With Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,644.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians bare a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney failure. The metabolic syndrome (the combination of obesity, insulin-resistance, abnormal lipids, and hypertension) is a common occurrence and important risk factor for the above chronic conditions in this population. Further study of the relationship of fat distribution, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes and CKD is of benefit to understand and prevent mortality in this population.
Community-Based Interventions To Reduce The Risk Of Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,699,291.00
Summary
Poor nutrition is one of the main factors causing high rates of diabetes and heart disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Obesity is one of the main risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and it is associated with poor diet, lack of exercise and many social factors. Access to fresh vegetables and fruit is often difficult for indigenous people , especially in remote areas. The aim of this project is to work with indigenous communities in rural and remote areas to ....Poor nutrition is one of the main factors causing high rates of diabetes and heart disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Obesity is one of the main risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and it is associated with poor diet, lack of exercise and many social factors. Access to fresh vegetables and fruit is often difficult for indigenous people , especially in remote areas. The aim of this project is to work with indigenous communities in rural and remote areas to plan and run programs to lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The programs will be designed by community members and involve health education, diet, exercise and improving availability of healthy food choices in community stores. The programs will target diabetic people and their families or, in most cases, the whole community. It is very difficult for overweight adults to lose weight permanently, so school-based programs will be run to provide health education and healthy canteen policies put in place to try and prevent excess weight gain in younger people. To see whether these programs are effective, we will measure changes over time in risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, nutrition and community support and involvement in the program. Where a community achieves even modest improvements in diet and exercise, this is likely to lead to a much lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. We will identify what factors make a program effective and sustainable over the long term. This study will help us to set up a system for introducing and monitoring similar programs in other indigenous communities. (1358 characters)Read moreRead less
I am a public health researcher investigating improvement of Indigenous primary health care service systems and the social determinants of health for Indigenous Australians.
Reducing Alcohol-related Harm In Rural Aboriginal Communities: Integrating Clinical Care And Community Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,165.00
Summary
This project involves working with rural Aboriginal communities to reduce harms from alcohol. Two programs will be implemented in Aboriginal communities: a clinical care program to improve the prevention, management and treatment of alcohol problems in Aboriginal people, and a community development program to help Aboriginal communities find solutions to alcohol problems.
Building Mental Wealth: Improving Mental Health For Better Health Outcomes Among
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,509,816.00
Summary
Mental health issues impact on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians who do not always engage with mainstream mental health services. This project will build the capacity of a critical mass of Indigenous and non Indigenous researchers who will engage, collaborate and work with Indigenous communities, clinicians and health providers to develop a sustainable culturally appropriate mental health policy and service model including adjunctive services to chronic disease management.