Harnessing The Power Of Elite Sport Sponsorship To Promote Healthy Eating By Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,220.00
Summary
Concerns have been raised about the role of unhealthy food sponsorship of elite sport in promoting unhealthy diets to vast numbers of the public, including young adults who are avid spectators of sport. This innovative project consists of two studies which systematically investigate the utility of alternative, health-oriented sport sponsorship models and counter-advertising strategies in promoting healthier diets among young adults.
A Solution Based Approach Developing Child Health Research With A Focus On Preventive Interventions For Common Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,599,538.00
Summary
There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health resear ....There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health research institute, is in a very good position to develop Australia's capacity further with regard to a coordinated research program into preventative interventions in child health. This is because of: - the Institute's location at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, the largest paediatric health service provider in Australia - the many individual relevant research projects that are already occurring in MCRI - the strong existing teams of researchers with skills in many different fields of child health such as psychology, speech pathology, clinical-medical care, epidemiology and biostatistics, and laboratory science including genetics. This capacity building program will coordinate population health work to develop the knowledge and skills of eight population health researchers. This development will occur within the context of an internationally competitive research program with structured continuing education and training to promote public health leadership. The capacity building program will develop skills not only in study design, conduct and analysis, but also in collaboration and the translation of research findings into better health services, government policy and parental knowledge to prevent problems and improve the health and well being of children and their families. To care for children in the best way, parents, families, schools, health care providers, and government need the best evidence base possible on the prevention of common child disorders.Read moreRead less
Preventive messages and guidelines to reduce sitting — especially prolonged periods of sitting — have emerged. However, what prolonged sitting should be replaced with, and the feasibility of making real world changes to this behaviour, is unknown. This program of research will provide high quality evidence on the benefits of reducing prolonged sitting time, and the effectiveness and acceptability of achieving sitting reductions in real-world contexts.
The Development Of Guidelines And An Intervention For Carers Of People With Bipolar Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,018.00
Summary
This project aims to use a consensus method involving expert carers, consumers and professionals to develop easily accessible information specifically to assist family members in understanding and coping with a loved one's bipolar disorder. It will include things they can do to help reduce bipolar relapse and enhance their own quality of life. This information will be expanded to develop a brief supportive intervention aimed at bolstering the coping skills and wellbeing of family members.
Increasing Engagement With Online Psychosocial Programs To Improve Mental Health In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,317.00
Summary
Online therapy programs have a strong evidence base in reducing mental health symptoms. However, take-up of these programs in the community is limited, and low adherence to these programs limits their impact. This project is a randomised controlled trial testing a novel approach to increasing uptake and adherence to psychosocial online programs, involving acceptance facilitation. Results will inform the dissemination of evidence-based psychosocial programs for a range of health conditions.
Novel Serological Tools To Aid Malaria Elimination In The Asia-Pacific
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,362,749.00
Summary
In 2014 Asia-Pacific leaders pledged a malaria free Asia-Pacific by 2030. We will contribute to this goal by developing novel antibody detection tests that can identify people with current and recent past infections. We will then evaluate the utility of these tests both in mass screening and treatment programs and for the rapid delineation of areas where transmission persists from those where it has been eliminated. This will address two major roadblocks to malaria elimination in our region.
School Versus Community-based Albendazole Deworming For Control Of Soil Transmitted Helminths In School-age Children In The Philippines – A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,336,408.00
Summary
Intestinal parasites are a global health problem. The World Health Organization recommends regular distribution of deworming drugs, targeting school aged children. This is effective for the children receiving the drugs but does not have an impact in the wider community. We aim to determine the best strategy for delivery of deworming drugs, to achieve the maximum benefit both for children and wider community, by directly comparing the benefits of a school-targeted vs a community-mass approach.
Exploring The Potential For Built Environment Intervention To Improve Adult And Child Physical Activity And Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,428.00
Summary
Health-promoting behaviours - such as physical activity - that are maintained from childhood to adulthood have a positive effect on health status. My research will examine aspects of the built environment associated with child behaviour, health and development and use these findings to formulate recommendations to key stakeholders for the design of user-friendly, active-living environments for children and interventions targeting adults.
Community Action For Smoking Cessation In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,162,650.00
Summary
Smoking rates halved in Australia over the past 30 years to below 20% in 2004. However, Indigenous Australians continued to smoke at more than double this rate. In remote Aboriginal communities in the NT's 'Top End', over two-thirds of the population smoke. Smoking tobacco causes the greatest burden of disease for Australians generally. For Indigenous Australians, it is the single most important reversible risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. With no sign of reduction in smoking le ....Smoking rates halved in Australia over the past 30 years to below 20% in 2004. However, Indigenous Australians continued to smoke at more than double this rate. In remote Aboriginal communities in the NT's 'Top End', over two-thirds of the population smoke. Smoking tobacco causes the greatest burden of disease for Australians generally. For Indigenous Australians, it is the single most important reversible risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. With no sign of reduction in smoking levels, Indigenous Australians remain at greater risk of hospitalisations or death from many tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking in Australia was reduced through individually-oriented measures, public education and supply control. These strategies have either not been tried or have not been adequately studied in Aboriginal communities. Effective interventions could provide major health gains for Aboriginal Australians and reduce health costs. The intervention we propose will be based on an agreement whereby four remote communities in the 'Top End' will make a pact with the researchers to jointly try to reduce tobacco smoking using community-wide mobilisation, training and education. The intervention with have multiple components. We will not evaluate each component separately. The effect of the whole intervention on smoking will be assessed. Tobacco sales for the whole community in these small isolated localities, a sensitive and reliable measure, should decline if the intervention works. Tobacco smokers will be assessed before the intervention in each community and followed up twice to assess quit rates. Quit rates should go up. Five years are needed for the study because smoking behaviour change does not happen quickly or at peoples' first attempt. With staggered implementation of the intervention, i.e. not starting in all communities at once, reductions in smoking in more than one community will make us confident that the intervention worked.Read moreRead less