Managing Depression Within Low Vision Rehabilitation Services: The Effectiveness Of Integrating An Evidence-based Therapy ‘Problem-Solving Therapy For Primary Care’ On Depression, Quality Of Life And Service Utilisation In Those With Low Vision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,785.00
Summary
This research will evaluate the integration of an evidence-based treatment for depression into low vision rehabilitation services. It is anticipated that this new program will lead to sustained improvements in participants’ quality of life and mental health. This is the first time a system to manage depression has been implemented into low vision services worldwide and if successful this intervention could be suitable for application to other chronic health conditions.
There is strong evidence of an increased falls risk associated with cataract, a primary cause of vision impairment in older Australians. This research will determine factors contributing to increases in falls risk in people aged 70 years and older with cataract before surgery, between first and second eye surgery, and after second eye surgery. The findings can inform the optimal management of older people with cataract and limit negative health impacts of cataract-related injury and falls.
Modern Chemical Exposures In Utero And In Infancy, And Their Impact Upon Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In The Barwon Infant Study, An Unselected Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,353.00
Summary
I am a paediatric doctor interested in the effects of modern industrial chemicals on children’s development. Even in the womb babies are exposed to industrial chemicals and we know some, like lead, are harmful to developing brains. I am interested in other chemicals that are now suspected to affect development, including the polybrominated diphenyl esters (PBDEs), and I intend to investigate this as part of the Barwon Infant Study, which follows 1250 children from before birth to 3 years.
Developing An Early Life-course Population Mental Health Monitoring System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,779.00
Summary
I will lead the development of the first set of population mental health indicators, spanning birth to young adulthood (0-24 years). I bring 15 years' experience as a leader in high quality government surveillance to this work. I will review evidence for key indicators and will test implementation of seven connected surveys in two rural Victorian communities. My research will address known evidence gaps in the fields of mental health and epidemiology, as well as support community-level responses
Caregiving Practices And Child Development: A Cross-cultural Perspective.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,487.00
Summary
This program of research will investigate the cross-cultural differences in the types and prevalence of cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving practices in a community sample of parents in a low income country. The influence of cultural beliefs, caregiver distress and the common challenges experienced by caregivers will be explored and it will also test the effectiveness of an innovative psychological intervention to facilitate optimal child development.
“Genetics, epigenetics, and the environment” is often used to describe a complex that results in the production of a phenotype; the latter two usually blamed with missing heritability. We know that the environment affects dental development and dental caries susceptibility, but we have little information about the precise molecular mechanisms linking the environment to observed phenotypes. This study interorgates the role of epigenetics in dental development and dental caries.
Infant Motor Development Between 0-4 Months: A New Look At The Effect Of The ‘back To Sleep’ Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,182.00
Summary
An unexpected consequence of the Back to Sleep program is an increased incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP), or “flat head syndrome”, and concern about delayed development. It is not clear whether the current recommendation to provide ‘tummy-time’ play for infants when awake is the best way to prevent DP. Development of typical infants 0-4 months and infants with DP will be investigated and parents surveyed as a basis for development and trialling of a new DP prevention initiative.
Improving The Policy Development Process In Aboriginal Health: A Case Study Of Food And Nutrition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,845.00
Summary
This research investigates the process through which policy decisions are made in the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In this project, nutrition will be used as a case study to examine the policy-making process. This research is important because nutrition is a significant public health issue for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. However, little is known about the process by which nutrition and other health issues become policy priorities for Government
A vaccine against the bacteria Group A streptococcus (‘strep’) could prevent common minor infections like sore throat and school sores as well as deadly ones like necrotising fasciitis (‘flesh eating disease’). It would also reduce long-term heart (rheumatic heart disease) and kidney problems. We are going to try and deliberately give a sore throat to adult volunteers under very close medical supervision so that we can learn more about immunity to strep and to help make and test new vaccines.
Evaluation Of A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention Targeting Young People Living In Out-of-home Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,099.00
Summary
Recent National findings reveal that on average, 45% of Australian children aged 5-14 years watch TV for at least 2 hours/day. Given the risk for adverse cognitive, behavioral and physical health outcomes related to excessive TV viewing, including childhood obesity, there is an urgent need to design effective interventions to reduce unhealthy TV habits in the early years. My project responds to this need.