Improving School Transition By Improving Child Sleep: A Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,827.00
Summary
A successful transition to school sets a child on a path for life. A poor transition can lead to early drop out, poor peer relationships and poor emotional skills. In 2008/09, we found that a brief sleep intervention for children improved key determinants of a successful transition including social-emotional functioning and parent mental health. We now plan to see if the same intervention, delivered by school nurses, can have a similar effect.
Preventing Early Academic Problems By Improving Working Memory: Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,085.00
Summary
Learning difficulties are common and can cause school failure and poor self-esteem. They are associated with specific problems with temporarily remembering and using information (‘working memory’). Research suggests that improving working memory might improve academic achievement. We will study this intervention in a large group of primary school children who have poor working memory. If successful, the intervention will provide a way to improve the learning skills of these high-risk children.
Innovative Diagnosis For And Prevention Of Otitis Media In Australian Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,476.00
Summary
Otitis media (OM) in infants is a major health issue, with the affected infants having high risk of chronic illness, hearing loss and speech and language delay. Preventing OM in infants requires accurately diagnosing and determining the causes of OM. This project employs an innovative technology to diagnose OM in infants and determine the risk factors for OM in Australian infants.
Dynamics Of Haemophilus Haemolyticus And Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae Colonisation In Otitis-prone Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,790.00
Summary
A vaccine has been licenced that reduces ear disease. A harmless bacterium masquerades as the pathogen responsible for ear disease, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), leading to inaccurate surveillance of ear disease. This project will measure the true proportion of NTHi in ears and noses to help policy decisions regarding the introduction of the vaccine to Western Australia. We will be able to assess the impact this vaccine has had in the Northern Territory since implementation in 2009.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Web-based, Organisational Systems Change Intervention To Increase Childcare Service Adherence To Dietary Guidelines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,044,145.00
Summary
To improve children's health, leading health agencies recommend that childcare services provide foods to children consistent with dietary guidelines. The majority of Australian childcare services however do not provide foods that meet these guidelines. Using the highest quality research design, this study will test the effectiveness of a web-based intervention in supporting childcare services to improve the nutritional quality of food provided to children in care.
Developing Evidence Based Strategies For Addressing Childhood Vaccination Rejection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,927.00
Summary
Parental rejection of vaccines is a global concern that threatens to undermine disease control. A lack of evidence hampers the responses to this complex and persistent problem. We will interview parents who don’t vaccinate their children to learn what influences their decisions. We will then hold community juries and a public engagement process to refine strategies for responding to vaccination rejection that are acceptable to a well informed citizenry, practical and ethically justified.
Can Home-visiting Improve Early School Entry Outcomes?: Following The Right@home Randomised Trial To Age 5 Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,042,204.00
Summary
Inequalities in health and developmental outcomes are evident by the time Australian children start school. The “right@home” randomised controlled trial (2013-2016) will evaluate the impact of sustained nurse home visiting for the most disadvantaged families through targeted and intensive delivery of child health, development and parenting support until the children turns 2 years. Follow-up to school entry will evaluate the impact on health and developmental outcomes at ages 3 and 5 years.
Patterns, Pathways And Price Of Developing Disparities In Cardiovascular And Respiratory Health By Age 11-12 Years: The Longitudinal Study Of Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,290,912.00
Summary
Cardiovascular and lower respiratory diseases are leading causes of death, show marked social gradients, and have origins in early life. We will measure cardiorespiratory health at age 11-12 years in the national Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Combined with rich existing psychosocial and health data spanning the entire first decade, we will explore early-life mechanisms underlying emerging patterns of social disparity and their potentially-avoidable cost – evidence that is essential ....Cardiovascular and lower respiratory diseases are leading causes of death, show marked social gradients, and have origins in early life. We will measure cardiorespiratory health at age 11-12 years in the national Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Combined with rich existing psychosocial and health data spanning the entire first decade, we will explore early-life mechanisms underlying emerging patterns of social disparity and their potentially-avoidable cost – evidence that is essential to develop new intervention strategies.Read moreRead less
Scheduling Frequent Opportunities For Outdoor Play – A Simple Approach To Increase Physical Activity In Childcare
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,955.00
Summary
Australian preschool aged children are not sufficiently active, increasing their risk of a variety of health conditions. When at childcare, previous research has found that children are particularly activity during the first 10-15 minutes of outdoor play. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of changing the scheduling of periods of outdoor play within preschools.