PRevention & Early Intervention In Mental Illness And Substance UsE (PREMISE CRE)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,495,969.00
Summary
Substance use and mental disorders are among the leading causes of burden of disease in young people globally. Effective prevention and early intervention can reduce disease burden by halting, interrupting or delaying the onset and development of disorder. The PREMISE CRE will build the science to move the field from crisis, acute care and containment to prevention and early intervention, achieving a critical aim of the Australian Government’s program of reform in mental health and addiction.
Improving The Mental Health Outcomes Of People With Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,189,979.00
Summary
Australians with intellectual disability (ID) have very high rates of mental illness but experience very poor access to mental health services. Our research will develop a sound evidence base on the profile of mental ill health, service use, pathways to care and mental health policy for people with intellectual disability. Together with consumers and support persons we will examine ways to improve mental health services for people with intellectual disability.
A-Prof Wheatley is a respiratory and sleep disorders physician investigating the pathogenesis, health consequences and management of sleep breathing disorders, including sleep apnoea and snoring.
Novel Insights Into The Pathobiology Of Alphavirus Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$827,660.00
Summary
Infections with mosquito-borne viruses are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Ross River virus is endemic in parts of Australia, PNG and Pacific islands, while chikungunya virus is distributed globally and causes recurrent pandemics that involve millions of people. These viruses cause severe musculoskeletal disease for several months after infection. This project aims to establish how these viruses interact with the human host to cause disease and may provide a basis for new treatments.
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Antmicrobial Resistance: Detection And Propagation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,129.00
Summary
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen that causes gonorrhoea, has developed resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. The last remaining class of antibiotics that can successfully be used for general treatment of gonorrhoea is extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). However, we are now starting to see Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with early signs of ESC resistance. This research will use molecular technology and mathematical modelling to investigate Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resi ....Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen that causes gonorrhoea, has developed resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. The last remaining class of antibiotics that can successfully be used for general treatment of gonorrhoea is extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). However, we are now starting to see Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with early signs of ESC resistance. This research will use molecular technology and mathematical modelling to investigate Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance in Australia.Read moreRead less
Long-term Nerve Damage In Cancer Survivors: Identification Of Risk Factors And Optimal Assessment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,172.00
Summary
Nerve damage following chemotherapy treatment leads to early treatment cessation and long-lasting disability, developing with commonly used chemotherapies. There is a critical need to understand the mechanisms, optimize clinical assessment and develop interventions to prevent nerve damage. This project is designed to detect the impact of long-term nerve damage in cancer survivors and develop a risk profile based on clinical, neurophysiological and genetic factors.
Early Intervention For Anxiety And Phobic Disorders In Young Children With Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$305,674.00
Summary
Children with intellectual disability (ID) are 2-3 times more likely to have behavioural and emotional disturbance, including anxiety and fears, than children of normal intellectual ability. Anxiety problems are a source of distress for the child, impair their ability to learn and are a cause of family burden and community cost. Therefore, effective interventions are urgently required. Research with non-disabled children has demonstrated the effectiveness of teaching parents to manage their chil ....Children with intellectual disability (ID) are 2-3 times more likely to have behavioural and emotional disturbance, including anxiety and fears, than children of normal intellectual ability. Anxiety problems are a source of distress for the child, impair their ability to learn and are a cause of family burden and community cost. Therefore, effective interventions are urgently required. Research with non-disabled children has demonstrated the effectiveness of teaching parents to manage their child's anxiety, however the effectiveness of this approach in children with ID has not yet been established. This project aims to compare the relative effectiveness of two intervention conditions compared to a waiting list group, for highly anxious children aged 4-7 years with ID. One intervention will teach parents to help their child deal with anxiety problems, and develop skills to overcome their own associated emotional upset and family and social problems. The other intervention will provide non-directive counselling and support to help the parents understand the nature and causes of ID, associated anxiety problems in the child, and parent and family stress. The long term outcome of these two interventions will be assessed by following the children and their families for two years. A manual of each treatment is produced. This project aims to provide evidence for a relatively inexpensive, feasible and effective early intervention program for young children with ID at risk for developing anxiety problems that can be easily taught to professionals and is acceptable to parents. Widespread use of this intervention has the potential to reduce the added burden and cost to families and the community of persistent severe anxiety in young people with ID.Read moreRead less
Pandemic Influenza Containment Strategies In Aboriginal Communities: What Is Acceptable And Feasible?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,056,688.00
Summary
Influenza is a serious disease with a much greater impact in Indigenous communities. This project will work with Aboriginal communities in NSW, north Qld and WA on modifying the national pandemic influenza plan to develop control strategies that are acceptable to the culture and circumstances of those communities. A template and acceptable process will then be offered to other Indigenous communities, finally leading to negotiation to modify implementation of pandemic influenza plans.
Identifying New Targets For Primary School Mental Health Interventions Using Population Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,882.00
Summary
This project assesses the mental health and well-being of ~87,000 children aged 10 years in New South Wales, and links this information (anonymously) with data on school-based mental health interventions, and data on health, education, and welfare collected from birth. We will identify factors that promote mental health and reduce ill-health. We hope to improve child health by developing new ways to detect early vulnerability for ill-health, and by identifying new health promotion opportunities.
I am a sexual health and public health physician developing large population-based trials aimed at minimising the impact of sexually transmissible infections on the Australian population.