A Randomised, Double Blinded Intervention Study To Assess Health Effects Of Drinking Water From Rainwater Tanks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,510.00
Summary
We are planning to perform a study in Adelaide to assess if drinking untreated rainwater causes a health risk. Eight years into a drought Australia's water sources are becoming increasingly depleted, so we need to reduce water consumption and consider using alternative sources of water. Increased use of rainwater is one of a number of solutions available. However, current recommendations state that rainwater can be safely used for purposes other than drinking, but because of potential contaminat ....We are planning to perform a study in Adelaide to assess if drinking untreated rainwater causes a health risk. Eight years into a drought Australia's water sources are becoming increasingly depleted, so we need to reduce water consumption and consider using alternative sources of water. Increased use of rainwater is one of a number of solutions available. However, current recommendations state that rainwater can be safely used for purposes other than drinking, but because of potential contamination and limited evidence regarding safety, drinking untreated rainwater is not approved by state health departments. The main outcome of this study will be to determine whether drinking untreated water from rainwater tanks poses a significant health risk. Additionally, we will determine if specific tank or maintenance characteristics can be identified that increase illness risk. The study design consists of following the health of 300 families who drink unboiled rainwater. Families will have a special tap installed that draws water through a water treatment unit (WTU). Half the families will have a working WTU and half will have a sham unit identical in appearance. The functional units sterilise water to remove any microorganisms present, while the sham filters have no effect. All participating families will keep a health diary for one year to record how often they suffer gastroenteritis. Neither the families nor the research workers will know which type of filter has been fitted. Water samples will be collected from selected households. At the end of a year the number of illnesses in the two groups will be compared. If those drinking rainwater from a sham filter suffer more often, then rainwater would be implicated as a source of gastroenteritis. This study will provide health authorities with a better understanding of the relationship between rainwater consumption and human health, and will provide data regarding safe uses of this alternative water source.Read moreRead less
Osteoporotic Fracture-Mortality Association And The Effect Of Anti-osteoporosis Treatment: A Multinational Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,800.00
Summary
Osteoporosis burden is due primarily to osteoporotic fractures resulting in economic and public health burden, increased disability, further fracture risk and more importantly early death. However, it remains under-treated although treatment reduces the number of fractures and may reduce early death. This study aims to understand which types of fractures result in early death and for which age groups and whether osteoporosis treatment does or does not reduce early death.
Prevention Of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis In A High Prevalence Setting: ‘Connecting The DOTS’ In Vietnam
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,382,020.00
Summary
The close contacts of people with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have a high risk of developing the disease. The V-QUIN MDR-TB Trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an oral antibiotic (levofloxacin) in preventing drug resistant TB among infected household contacts of TB patients. Household contacts from 10 Provinces in Vietnam will be randomly allocated to receive six-months of either levofloxacin or a placebo, and then followed for two years to see if they develop tuberculosis.
Testing And Treatment For Prostate Cancer In Australia: Epidemiology And Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,886.00
Summary
We aim to use observational data and mathematical modelling to investigate testing and treatment for prostate cancer in Australia. We will incorporate changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and in clinical practice to investigate: a) over-diagnosis, being cancer cases diagnosed through PSA testing that would not have been otherwise diagnosed; b) the effect of PSA testing on prostate cancer mortality; and c) mortality and health care use under different PSA test scenarios.
Who To Treat, When To Treat And How To Treat Prostate Cancer: Generating Evidence To Guide Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
There is considerable uncertainty about which treatments lead to better outcomes for men with prostate cancer and whether treatment is always necessary. This project will compare different treatment options for prostate cancer, including active surveillance, to determine which offers the best chance of survival and least harm to men’s physical and mental wellbeing. It will also explore whether some men who do not receive active treatment (healthy older men) would benefit if they did.