ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3790-0024
Current Organisation
RMIT University
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Land Use and Environmental Planning | Community Planning | Urban and Regional Planning | Conservation and Biodiversity | Urban planning and health | Epidemiological modelling | Urban and regional planning | Social determinants of health
Urban and Industrial Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity | Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Urban and Industrial Environments | Health Status (e.g. Indicators of Well-Being) |
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2020
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Date: 08-2017
DOI: 10.1332/174426416X14655655062000
Abstract: Victorian local governments (LGs) are required to develop evidence-based Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWPs) that improve health and wellbeing. This study evaluated the implementation of this requirement across 79 LGs. Evidence in 116 documents was categorised by source, issue, and policy specificity. Over 11,000 evidence-occurrences from 200 sources were recorded. More evidence on social determinants was identified than on epidemiology or health behaviours. Most (96%) evidence was descriptive and only 4% supported MPHWP actions. The results suggest the community is an important source of novel interventions, and proposes three related reasons for the dearth of intervention level evidence.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 27-08-2015
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2009
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-09-2020
DOI: 10.3390/F11090963
Abstract: Decisions about urban forests are critical to urban liveability and resilience. This study aimed to evaluate the range of positions held by urban forest managers from local governments in the state of Victoria, Australia, regarding the management and governance challenges that affect their decision-making. This study was based on a Q-method approach, a procedure that allows researchers to evaluate the range of positions that exist about a topic in a structured manner based on the experiences of a wide group of people. We created statements on a wide range of urban forest management and governance challenges and asked urban forest managers to rate their level of agreement with these statements via an online survey. Managers generally agreed about the challenges posed by urban development and climate change for implementing local government policies on urban forest protection and expansion. However, there were ergent views about how effective solutions based on increasing operational capacities, such as increasing budgets and personnel, could address these challenges. For some managers, it was more effective to improve critical governance challenges, such as inter-departmental and inter-municipal coordination, community engagement, and addressing the culture of risk aversion in local governments. Urban forest regional strategies aimed at coordinating management and governance issues across cities should build on existing consensus on development and environmental threats and address critical management and governance issues not solely related to local government operational capacity.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-05-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Abstract: The World Health Organization calls upon local government worldwide to play a greater role in improving public health by improving the social determinants of health. This research aimed to determine how local governments in Victoria, Australia, conceptualised their organisational efficacy to address public health with reference to their statutory obligations. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with Victorian local government health planners. Thematic analysis was used to determine the importance of state health priorities and the perceived organisational efficacy of local government to address health via social determinants. While there were disparities between state and local priorities for health, local government believes it can make an important contribution to improving health through 'upstream' approaches. Victorian local government has strongly adopted the socio-ecological model of health and is aware of the important role that its erse policy and program areas play in creating healthy communities. The Victorian State Government's priorities, which adopted a more 'downstream' approach, were less influential. Implications for public health: State governments' priority settings should be responsive to local governments' unique local knowledge of health priorities. There is value in legislating a social determinants role for local government, provided it is supported by state and national government policies that facilitate public health.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-2003
DOI: 10.1046/J.1440-1614.2003.01209.X
Abstract: Background: Young people with early psychosis are at particularly high risk of suicide. However, there is evidence that early intervention can reduce this risk. Despite these advances, first episode psychosis patients attending these new services still remain at risk. To address this concern, a program called LifeSPAN was established within the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC). The program developed and evaluated a number of suicide prevention strategies within EPPIC and included a cognitively oriented therapy (LifeSPAN therapy) for acutely suicidal patients with psychosis. We describe the development of these interventions in this paper. Method: Clinical audit and surveys provided an indication of the prevalence of suicidality among first episode psychosis patients attending EPPIC. Second, staff focus groups and surveys identified gaps in service provision for suicidal young people attending the service. Third, a suicide risk monitoring system was introduced to identify those at highest risk. Finally, patients so identified were referred to and offered LifeSPAN therapy whose effectiveness was evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. Results: Fifty-six suicidal patients with first episode psychosis were randomly assigned to standard clinical care or standard care plus LifeSPAN therapy. Forty-two patients completed the intervention. Clinical ratings and measures of suicidality and risk were assessed before, immediately after the intervention, and 6 months later. Benefits were noted in the treatment group on indirect measures of suicidality, e.g., hopelessness. The treatment group showed a greater average improvement (though not significant) on a measure of suicide ideation. Conclusions: Early intervention in psychosis for young people reduces the risk of suicide. Augmenting early intervention with a suicide preventative therapy may further reduce this risk.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2019
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-01-2022
DOI: 10.3390/IJGI11010058
Abstract: Confronted with rapid urbanization, population growth, traffic congestion, and climate change, there is growing interest in creating cities that support active transport modes including walking, cycling, or public transport. The ‘30 minute city’, where employment is accessible within 30 min by active transport, is being pursued in some cities to reduce congestion and foster local living. This paper examines the spatial relationship between employment, the skills of residents, and transport opportunities, to answer three questions about Australia’s 21 largest cities: (1) What percentage of workers currently commute to their workplace within 30 min? (2) If workers were to shift to an active transport mode, what percent could reach their current workplace within 30 min? and (3) If it were possible to relocate workers closer to their employment or relocate employment closer to their home, what percentage could reach work within 30 min by each mode? Active transport usage in Australia is low, with public transport, walking, and cycling making up 16.8%, 2.8%, and 1.1% respectively of workers’ commutes. Cycling was found to have the most potential for achieving the 30 min city, with an estimated 29.5% of workers able to reach their current workplace were they to shift to cycling. This increased to 69.1% if workers were also willing and able to find a similar job closer to home, potentially reducing commuting by private motor vehicle from 79.3% to 30.9%.
Publisher: Australian Urban Observatory
Date: 2020
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2006
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2017
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date: 2014
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-10-2020
Abstract: The Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Guide was released by the World Health Organization over a decade ago with the aim of creating environments that support healthy ageing. The comprehensive framework includes the domains of outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community and health services. A major critique of the age-friendly community movement has argued for a more clearly defined scope of actions, the need to measure or quantify results and increase the connections to policy and funding levers. This paper provides a quantifiable spatial indicators framework to assess local lived environments according to each Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFC) domain. The selection of these AFC spatial indicators can be applied within local neighbourhoods, census tracts, suburbs, municipalities, or cities with minimal resource requirements other than applied spatial analysis, which addresses past critiques of the Age-Friendly Community movement. The framework has great potential for applications within local, national, and international policy and planning contexts in the future.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 22-08-2007
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2015
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-03-2022
Abstract: Environmental justice (EJ) is a broad discipline that attempts to understand and redress unfair exposure to unhealthy environmental conditions. EJ is often made measurable with indicators, however the capabilities and the limitations of EJ indicators can be difficult for policy makers to understand. Using an exploratory review of EJ literature, this paper performs a research translation role by clarifying the key terms used to describe EJ indicators and by providing conceptual frameworks for developing locally valid EJ indicators for government and community. Issues such as the position of EJ in the context of the social determinants of health, indicator development, and definitions are explored. The exploratory literature review highlighted the potential and limitations of EJ indicators for measuring the extent and impact of EJ issues on human health and the environment. We found that EJ indicators are invariably (1) composed of two or more measures, and (2) developed iteratively, in consultation with those affected. To aid governments and communities, we present both a top-down and a bottom-up framework for developing EJ indicators, with the bottom-up framework guiding the combination of measures from four different core elements environment, demography, epidemiology and procedures. A list of evidence-based ex le measures, from the literature, for developing EJ indicators is also provided. It is anticipated that the frameworks and list of EJ ex le measures will provide guidance for efficiently developing locally relevant EJ indicators.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-07-2021
Abstract: Cities are widely recognised as important settings for promoting health. Nonetheless, making cities more liveable and supportive of health and wellbeing remains a challenge. Decision-makers’ capacity to use urban health evidence to create more liveable cities is fundamental to achieving these goals. This paper describes an international partnership designed to build capacity in using liveability indicators aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and social determinants of health, in Bangkok, Thailand. The aim of this paper is to reflect on this partnership and outline factors critical to its success. Partners included the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the UN Global Compact—Cities Programme, the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, and urban scholars based at an Australian university. Numerous critical success factors were identified, including having a bilingual liaison and ch ion, establishment of two active working groups in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and incorporating a six-month hand-over period. Other successful outcomes included contextualising liveability for erse contexts, providing opportunities for reciprocal learning and knowledge exchange, and informing a major Bangkok strategic urban planning initiative. Future partnerships should consider the strategies identified here to maximise the success and longevity of capacity-building partnerships.
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK
Date: 2015
Publisher: Swinburne University of Technology
Date: 16-12-2005
DOI: 10.7790/EJAP.V1I2.22
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-09-2007
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-01-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1469-8749.2009.03382.X
Abstract: To compare the conceptual differences, internal consistency, and validity of the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (CP QOL-Child), the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ), and a European generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire (10-domain version KIDSCREEN-10) for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Two hundred and four primary caregivers (185 females [91%], 19 males [9%]) of children with CP aged 4 to 12 years (mean 8 y 4 mo [SD 2.51] 112 males [55%], 92 females [46%], Gross Motor Function Classification System level I=18%, II=28%, III=14%, IV=11%, V=28%) provided demographic data and completed the CP QOL-Child, CHQ, and KIDSCREEN-10. Fifty-four children with CP aged 9 to 12 years completed the CP QOL-Child and KIDSCREEN-10. The KIDSCREEN-10 and CP QOL-Child were developed to measure general HRQOL and CP-specific QOL respectively, whereas the CHQ was developed to measure functional health and well-being. In terms of internal consistency, KIDSCREEN-10 (Cronbach's alpha=0.86) and CP QOL-Child (0.74-0.91) outperformed the CHQ (0.18-0.96). In terms of validity, all instruments were moderately correlated. Floor and ceiling effects, although minimal or not evident for KIDSCREEN-10 and CP QOL-Child (1-4.9%), were apparent for CHQ (0.5-62.9%). Conceptually and psychometrically, KIDSCREEN-10 and CP QOL-Child performed more strongly than the CHQ, for children with CP. The choice between these two instruments will depend on the questions posed and outcomes sought by the researcher or clinician.
Publisher: Figshare
Date: 2018
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2006
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 20-02-2015
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-09-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
Abstract: Victorian local governments are required to develop Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans that incorporate state-level health planning priorities and address the social determinants of health. This paper describes a novel method for evaluating councils' performance against these requirements. Deductive content analysis was used to categorise all actions in 14 local government MPHWPs against Victorian state priorities as well as against social determinants of health policy areas. More than 1,000 actions were identified. However, fewer than half directly addressed a state priority, with many actions addressing policy areas known to be broader determinants of health. In particular, there was a marked focus on leisure and culture, and on building social cohesion through changes to living and working conditions. Councils are working beyond state priorities and there was a clear emphasis on addressing the erse upstream 'causes of the causes' of health, rather than health promotion behaviour change programs. The approach for data analysis and presentation provides a useful method for rapid appraisal of health and wellbeing actions relative to councils', and the State's, responsibility and efficacy in public health.
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date: 2011
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-01-2017
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 20-05-2022
Abstract: A better understanding of the physical activity (PA) infrastructure in schools, the walkability of neighborhoods close to schools, and the food environments around schools, particularly in rural, socioeconomically challenged areas such as the North-West (NW) of Tasmania, could be important in the wider effort to improve the health of school-age children. Accordingly, this research aimed to assess PA resources, walkability, and food environments in and around schools in three socioeconomically disadvantaged, regional/rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Tasmania, Australia. A census of schools (including assessment of the PA infrastructure quality within school grounds), a walkability assessment, and a census of food outlets surrounding schools (through geospatial mapping) were executed. Most of the schools in the study region had access to an oval, basketball/volleyball/netball court, and free-standing exercise equipment. In all instances (i.e., regardless of school type), the quality of the available infrastructure was substantially higher than the number of incivilities observed. Most schools also had good (i.e., within the first four deciles) walkability. Numerous food outlets were within the walking zones of all schools in the study region, with an abundance of food outlets that predominantly sold processed unhealthy food.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-12-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2214.2009.00989.X
Abstract: Although it is expected that caring for a child with cerebral palsy (CP) can impact on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers, the QOL of carers' has yet to be adequately examined. The aims of this study are to: (1) explore the QOL of mothers and fathers of children with CP aged 3-18 years and (2) examine whether the impact of caring for a child with CP changes from childhood to adolescence. A qualitative study was conducted utilizing a grounded theory framework. Twenty-four mothers and 13 fathers of children and adolescents with CP aged 3-7 years (n = 15), 8-12 years (n = 10) and 13-18 years (n = 12) and with varying levels of impairment (GMFCS Level I = 1, II = 4, II = 3, IV = 5, V = 12) participated in semi-structured interviews about their QOL. The transcripts were analysed to identify issues affecting parental QOL. There were no differences in parental QOL among subgroups (i.e. mothers and fathers, age groups, GMFCS levels). Parental QOL ranged across a wide spectrum. Caring for a child with CP affects a parent's physical well-being, social well-being, freedom and independence, family well-being and financial stability. Parents indicated that they often feel unsupported by the services they access. Caring for a child with CP can both positively and negatively impact on a parent's life. There is value for both parents and children if parental concerns and determinants of QOL are considered in overall programme planning and service delivery for children and their families.
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date: 2014
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2021
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-07-2023
DOI: 10.1002/PAN3.10509
Abstract: Experimentally manipulating urban tree abundance and structure can help explore the complex and reciprocal interactions among people, bio ersity and the services urban forests provide to humans and wildlife. In this study we take advantage of scheduled urban tree removals to experimentally quantify the benefits that urban trees provide to humans and wildlife. Specifically, we aim to understand how trees affect: (1) bird and mammal abundance and ersity, as well as an ecological process (predation) and (2) people's perception responses, such as the importance that people assign to the trees, wildlife and the site. We designed two independent Before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) experiments based on two sites where tree removals were occurring (impact sites): an urban park and a residential street, both located in the Greater Melbourne Area, Australia. We selected three control sites for each impact site, or four per experiment. Ecological data were collected through field surveys, and social data on people's perceptions through intercept questionnaires among park and street users. Data were analysed using a GLMMs to determine the combined effect of time (before and after) and treatment (impact and controls). At the urban park, the abundance of nectarivorous birds and possums both declined by 62% following tree removal, while invertebrate predation increased by 82.1%. The level of importance people assigned to the urban park and to the trees at the site decreased after tree removal, and people's attitudes towards tree planting became more positive, meaning more people wanted to plant more trees at the site. None of these changes were observed in the street experiment where fewer and smaller trees were removed, suggesting that effects may be highly specific to context, where factors such as tree volume, ersity and arrangement influence the magnitude of social–ecological effects observed. By demonstrating the social–ecological effect of removing urban trees, we provide evidence that urban trees provide critical habitat to urban wildlife and are perceived as an important aspect of the human experience of urban nature. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2017
DOI: 10.1071/HE15098
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 27-02-2023
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-02-2016
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2014.04.003
Abstract: It has long been recognised that urban form impacts on health outcomes and their determinants. There is growing interest in creating indicators of liveability to measure progress towards achieving a wide range of policy outcomes, including enhanced health and wellbeing, and reduced inequalities. This review aimed to: 1) bring together the concepts of urban 'liveability' and social determinants of health 2) synthesise the various liveability indicators developed to date and 3) assess their quality using a health and wellbeing lens. Between 2011 and 2013, the research team reviewed 114 international academic and policy documents, as well as reports related to urban liveability. Overall, 233 indicators were found. Of these, 61 indicators were regarded as promising, 57 indicators needed further development, and 115 indicators were not useful for our purposes. Eleven domains of liveability were identified that likely contribute to health and wellbeing through the social determinants of health. These were: crime and safety education employment and income health and social services housing leisure and culture local food and other goods natural environment public open space transport and social cohesion and local democracy. Many of the indicators came from Australian sources however most remain relevant from a 'global north' perspective. Although many indicators were identified, there was inconsistency in how these domains were measured. Few have been validated to assess their association with health and wellbeing outcomes, and little information was provided for how they should be applied to guide urban policy and practice. There is a substantial opportunity to further develop these measures to create a series of robust and evidence-based liveability indices, which could be linked with existing health and wellbeing data to better inform urban planning policies within Australia and beyond.
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-03-2016
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 02-2016
Abstract: Australia has joined a growing number of nations that have evaluated the physical activity and sedentary behavior status of their children. Australia received a “D minus” in the first Active Healthy Kids Australia Physical Activity Report Card. An expert subgroup of the Australian Report Card Research Working Group iteratively reviewed available evidence to answer 3 questions: (a) What are the main sedentary behaviors of children? (b) What are the potential mechanisms for sedentary behavior to impact child health and development? and (c) What are the effects of different types of sedentary behaviors on child health and development? Neither sedentary time nor screen time is a homogeneous activity likely to result in homogenous effects. There are several mechanisms by which various sedentary behaviors may positively or negatively affect cardiometabolic, neuromusculoskeletal, and psychosocial health, though the strength of evidence varies. National surveillance systems and mechanistic, longitudinal, and experimental studies are needed for Australia and other nations to improve their grade. Despite limitations, available evidence is sufficiently convincing that the total exposure and pattern of exposure to sedentary behaviors are critical to the healthy growth, development, and wellbeing of children. Nations therefore need strategies to address these common behaviors.
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.RIDD.2012.08.018
Abstract: To assess the measurement properties of a new QOL instrument, the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teen (CP QOL-Teen), in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 13-18 years, examining domain structure, reliability, validity and adolescent-caregiver concordance. Based on age, 695 eligible families were invited to participate by mail. Questionnaires were returned by 112 primary caregivers (71.8% of questionnaires sent). 87 adolescents aged 12-18 years also completed the questionnaires. CP QOL-Teen, generic QOL instruments (KIDSCREEN, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory), functioning (Gross Motor Function Classification System) and a condition-specific instrument (PedsQL-CP) were used. Principal components analysis produced seven scales: wellbeing and participation communication and physical health school wellbeing social wellbeing access to services family health feelings about functioning. Cronbach's alphas for the derived scales ranged from 0.81 to 0.96 (primary caregiver report) and 0.78 to 0.95 (adolescent report). Test-retest reliability (4 weeks) ranged from 0.57 to 0.88 for adolescent self-report and 0.29 to 0.83 for primary caregiver report. Moderate correlations were observed with other generic and condition specific measures of QOL, indicating adequate construct validity. Moderate correlations were observed between adolescent self-report and primary caregiver proxy report. This study demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties of both the adolescent self-report and the primary caregiver proxy report versions of the CP QOL-Teen.
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-03-2010
Publisher: RMIT University
Date: 2021
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date: 02-11-2011
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-12-2014
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-04-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-09-2007
Start Date: 12-2016
End Date: 07-2020
Amount: $320,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2023
End Date: 12-2025
Amount: $405,763.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity