Development Of Early Warning Systems For Dengue Fever Based On Socio-ecological Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,402.00
Summary
Global climate change has potentially serious effects on the transmission of dengue. An early warning system (EWS) based on socio-ecological factors will be developed to examine where and when outbreaks of dengue are likely to occur and how the future dengue control strategies and prevention efforts need to be applied and strengthened in Australia. This project will provide a platform for future research on developing and implementing an EWS for dengue in the Asia-Pacific region.
Predicting The Impact Of Current Obesity And Diabetes Trends On Future Prevalence Of Cardiovascular Disease In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$222,762.00
Summary
Obesity and diabetes are both strong risk factors for cardiovascular disease. As their prevalence has more than doubled over the past decades we need to know the likely effect on future rates of cardiovascular disease. Here we propose to create projection models for cardiovascular disease in Australia to estimate the future impact of trends in obesity and diabetes.
The proportion of the population over 65 years of age is increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death in this group of people. Angina, heart failure and stroke in elderly people often result in considerable disability and in many instances in a need for changed living circumstances such as admission to nursing homes. Consequently there is an important need to understand how to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases in elderly people. Although CVD oc ....The proportion of the population over 65 years of age is increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death in this group of people. Angina, heart failure and stroke in elderly people often result in considerable disability and in many instances in a need for changed living circumstances such as admission to nursing homes. Consequently there is an important need to understand how to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases in elderly people. Although CVD occurs much more frequently in older persons, much of the epidemiological information on CVD risk factors and risk estimation comes from studies of middle-aged populations. Recently there has been an increased focus on whether the established relationships hold or differ in the elderly. This has generated debate about the relative value and effectiveness of treating risk factors in elderly people. This study, which is based on comprehensive and long-term risk factor, mortality and morbidity data from the Busselton Health Study and Health in Men Study, will lead to a better understanding of classic and new CVD risk factors in older persons and will contribute positively to the debate about the relative value and effectiveness of attempting to modify risk factors in the elderly. Further, it will facilitate improved methods for CVD risk assessment in older people and hence assist in determining whether which preventive actions to implement in the elderly.Read moreRead less
From Maps To Efficient Multi-parasite Control In The Philippines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,121.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths are major parasitic infections in Asia, causing anaemia, poor growth and poor school performance and death in some chronic schistosomiasis cases. We will use maps to demonstrate the geographic distribution of these parasites in the Philippines. We will estimate the impact and costs and benefits of parasite control programmes. This research will help plan more efficient parasite control and reduce the impact of these infections in the Philippines.
Fitness Versus Fatness: Disentangling Their Effects On Disease Outcomes And Estimating The Population Burden Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,537.00
Summary
Overweight and physical inactivity are two of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With increasing population levels of overweight, governments are increasingly advocating public health measures aimed at increasing physical activity levels or otherwise decreasing weight. There has been much research concerning which of these factors is the key prognostic factor for adverse health outcomes, but an ongoing lack of clarity of research findings has led to uncertainty as to ....Overweight and physical inactivity are two of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With increasing population levels of overweight, governments are increasingly advocating public health measures aimed at increasing physical activity levels or otherwise decreasing weight. There has been much research concerning which of these factors is the key prognostic factor for adverse health outcomes, but an ongoing lack of clarity of research findings has led to uncertainty as to the direction of recommendations for preventive health strategies and population lifestyle changes. In addition, the risks of overweight, in particular, have been accused of being exaggerated in both the scientific and lay literature. This is often due to the difficulty of dealing appropriately with time varying confounders which are also intermediate factors (such as hypertension). To date, no studies have performed careful longitudinal modelling of the joint effects of physical inactivity and overweight on cardiovascular events and diabetes while taking into account the effects of factors, such as hypertension or atherosclerosis, that influence both physical activity and overweight as well as disease, and simultaneously are consequences of these risk factors. Standard statistical methods are known to produce biased estimates in these situations but we will apply more recently developed statistical techniques to provide much improved estimation of these effects. After the statistical modelling stage, we will model the burden of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality associated with given levels of overweight and physical inactivity. These will be combined with population levels of overweight and inactivity to identify the fraction of the current and future burden of disease attributable to these risk factors.Read moreRead less
A Study Of Mechanisms Of Cognitive Decline In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,222.00
Summary
Diabetes mellitus and dementia are major public health problems. Diabetes may increase the risk of dementia. This study aims to uncover the mechanism by which diabetes may increase dementia risk. This may lead to finding new ways to prevent or treat diabetes-related dementia and thus reduce the public health burden of dementia.
Genetic, Family And Social Determinants Of The Burden And Outcome In Rett Syndrome: A Population-based Investigation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,550.00
Summary
Rett syndrome is a severe disorder of the nervous system mainly affecting females. At birth children with Rett syndrome often seem normal but in their second year lose skills. With time it becomes clear that they are severely intellectually and physically handicapped. In 1999 the link between Rett syndrome and a mutation in the gene, known as MECP2, was found. In Australia since 1993, we have had a register of basic information on all girls and young women diagnosed with Rett syndrome. Over thre ....Rett syndrome is a severe disorder of the nervous system mainly affecting females. At birth children with Rett syndrome often seem normal but in their second year lose skills. With time it becomes clear that they are severely intellectually and physically handicapped. In 1999 the link between Rett syndrome and a mutation in the gene, known as MECP2, was found. In Australia since 1993, we have had a register of basic information on all girls and young women diagnosed with Rett syndrome. Over three quarters of the register s 248 cases have now been genetically tested. In 2000 and again in 2002, extra information on ability to do everyday tasks, behaviour, hand function, medical conditions, and use of health and education services was collected. In 2002 questions on family well being were also included. From 2004 to 2007, further information will be gathered on function, health and well being of the affected child and their family. This will be by telephone interview, questionnaire, video recording, existing medical records, clinical assessments and tests. This will include in 2004 completion of calendars which will provide information needed to estimate health and medical care costs for these children. Similar information by questionnaire and calendar will also be collected from the parents of children with Down syndrome in 2004. The information will be used to compare the social and financial burden of Rett syndrome with Down syndrome, a commoner cause of intellectual disability. The research will also show if it is possible to predict from early genetic test results how severely a child with Rett syndrome will later be affected. It will also determine whether some ways of management improve the long-term outlook for the girl and her family. Finally this study will investigate why some families cope better with this devastating disorder than others. This research is only possible in Australia because of the ongoing register we have set up here.Read moreRead less
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Cognitive Decline - A Longitudinal Study Of Effects And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,317,589.00
Summary
Diabetes mellitus and dementia are major public health problems. Diabetes may increase the risk of dementia. This longitudinal study aims to uncover the mechanism by which diabetes may increase dementia risk. This may lead to finding new ways to prevent or treat diabetes-related dementia and thus reduce the public health burden of dementia.