Aetiology, Burden And Causal Pathways Of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections Using Population Linked Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,476.00
Summary
Lower respiratory, or chest infections, are a problem for many children. This project will investigate the impact of chest infections on hospitals and emergency departments, the viruses and bacteria that cause them, identify those children who are at an increased risk of having chest infections and investigate the impact of routine immunisations on specific types of infections. This project will greatly add to our understanding of chest infections so appropriate interventions can be developed.
Enhanced Case Finding For Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Vietnam
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,931.00
Summary
Vietnam is among the ten high-burden countries for tuberculosis in the Asia-Pacific region. This project will assess patterns of tuberculosis transmission and its prevalence among the Vietnamese population, and investigate new approaches to enhance case detection. It will also screen for genetic markers of disease susceptibility to tuberculosis among Vietnamese people.
Asthma, Lung Function, Snoring And Passive Smoking In Busselton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,110.00
Summary
Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, and sleep apnoea are common in the community, and asthma is becoming more and more common. These diseases are a major cause of morbidity, lost time from work, use of health and community resources and death. Using information collected by the Busselton Health Studies between 1966 and 2000, we will investigate some new epidemiological aspects of respiratory diseases. Some of the questions we will examine are: * How much more ....Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, and sleep apnoea are common in the community, and asthma is becoming more and more common. These diseases are a major cause of morbidity, lost time from work, use of health and community resources and death. Using information collected by the Busselton Health Studies between 1966 and 2000, we will investigate some new epidemiological aspects of respiratory diseases. Some of the questions we will examine are: * How much more common has asthma become in the Busselton population? Has the increase been more pronounced in some groups than in others (eg younger people)? Have other respiratory diseases also become more common? * Is decline in FEV1 over time a more useful measure of lung health than a single FEV1 measurement? How is decline in FEV1 related to age and other factors such as asthma, smoking, chronic respiratory diseases and hay fever? * Do the following put people at increased risk of sleep apnoea: overweight, recent weight gain, smoking, heavy alcohol intake, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and use of sedatives? * Do non-smoking spouses of smokers suffer more respiratory illness than spouses of non-smokers? We expect that results from this study will increase our understanding of the causes and progression of respiratory diseases, and may eventually point to ways of reducing the burden of these diseases in the community. Since all the information needed has already been collected in the course of earlier health surveys, this study will be particularly cost-effective.Read moreRead less
Familial, Behavioural And Environmental Determinants Of Respiratory And Metabolic Fitness In Regional South Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
South Australia is the fattest state in Australia. Limited health surveillance data suggests that Whyalla is fatter, less active, consumes more alcohol and has worse respiratory health than Adelaide. Obesity is linked to poorer respiratory health. Public concern over the effects of air pollution on the health of Whyalla families has prompted us to examine respiratory and metabolic health in Whyalla families in comparison to those in the north-west suburbs of Adelaide.
The Impact Of Household Infrastructure Improvements On Child Health In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,350.00
Summary
The impact of the living environment on health has been well documented in the last 150 years and it is widely acknowledged that improvements in the living, working and social conditions of industrial countries have resulted in dramatic improvements in health. In Australia the close correlation between an unhealthy environment and the poor health of the Indigenous population has been clearly recognised. In 1993-94 the Federal Government established infrastructure projects as a component in the i ....The impact of the living environment on health has been well documented in the last 150 years and it is widely acknowledged that improvements in the living, working and social conditions of industrial countries have resulted in dramatic improvements in health. In Australia the close correlation between an unhealthy environment and the poor health of the Indigenous population has been clearly recognised. In 1993-94 the Federal Government established infrastructure projects as a component in the implementation of the National Aboriginal Health Strategy. The selection of communities for funding has been based on need, and the Northern Territory has attracted funding support disproportionate to its total population, but consistent with the level of need. While there is wide acceptance of the relationship between the household environment and health status, and evidence to support this general relationship, there is a need at an international and local level for research that informs specific social policy decisions. The aim of the proposed study is to determine the impact of improvements in household infrastructure on the health of children living in remote Aboriginal communities with a view to informing the development of infrastructure projects. The outcomes of this project will be a significant advance in the understanding of the relationship between the household environment and health status, and of the improvements in health that can be achieved through improvement in household infrastructure. The relationship between specific components of household infrastructure and the ability to conduct each of a number of healthy living practices will be defined, to our knowledge, for the first time. There is a unique opportunity in the Northern Territory to conduct world class research in this area. The new information will be of value in the planning of infrastructure projects in remote Indigenous communities across Australia and in similar settings internationallyRead moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating The Respiratory Effects Of Nitrogen Dioxide In Schoolchildren
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$212,189.00
Summary
Research has shown that exposures to air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide, ozone and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns are associated with respiratory symptoms. Unlike the other air pollutants nitrogen dioxide is an indoor gas which occurs in higher concentrations than outdoors in households which cook or heat with gas. Recent research has demonstrated that NO2 at concentrations easily achieved indoors can increase respiratory illness, particularly in c ....Research has shown that exposures to air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide, ozone and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns are associated with respiratory symptoms. Unlike the other air pollutants nitrogen dioxide is an indoor gas which occurs in higher concentrations than outdoors in households which cook or heat with gas. Recent research has demonstrated that NO2 at concentrations easily achieved indoors can increase respiratory illness, particularly in children and asthmatics. In South Australia we have the opportunity to demonstrate health effects of NO2 on children with asthma more conclusively, as a high number of schools heat their classrooms with unflued gas heaters which produce high NO2. In the proposed study, half of the primary schools with unflued gas heaters will have these heaters replaced with heaters which do not emit NO2. This process of selecting schools will be performed at random and in the school holidays, so as not to bias the children in regard to their exposure status. Additionally, only asthmatic children without gas appliances at home will be included. Asthma symptoms and lung function measurements will be collected in order to determine any differences in the health outcomes of both groups. The results of this study will be able to give conclusive information on health effects related to NO2, that will substantially contribute to the development of a recommended NO2 guideline. This is of worldwide interest.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Outdoor Aeroallergen Exposure On Asthma Exacerbations In Children And Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,924.00
Summary
Asthma is a chronic condition usually diagnosed in childhood and an important public health concern. We do not fully understand what triggers an asthma attack, although outdoor pollen and moulds may be important. This project will establish the relative importance of pollen and moulds in triggering asthma attacks among Australian children. It will fill gaps in our knowledge of environmental triggers of asthma. Such knowledge will improve asthma management and ultimately public health.