Predictors Of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality In The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,544.00
Summary
The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study was set up in the early 1990s to investigate prospectively the role of diet and other lifestyle factors in causing common chronic diseases including common cancers and cardiovascular disease. Between 1990 and 1994, 41,500 people, aged 40-69 were recruited into the MCCS. About 30% of the cohort are southern European migrants to Australia who were deliberately over-sampled to extend the range of dietary and lifestyle exposures. Migrants from southern Europe ....The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study was set up in the early 1990s to investigate prospectively the role of diet and other lifestyle factors in causing common chronic diseases including common cancers and cardiovascular disease. Between 1990 and 1994, 41,500 people, aged 40-69 were recruited into the MCCS. About 30% of the cohort are southern European migrants to Australia who were deliberately over-sampled to extend the range of dietary and lifestyle exposures. Migrants from southern Europe have an adverse risk factor profile in relation to obesity, body fat distribution, physical activity patterns, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, yet their death rates from heart disease are 30-40% lower than the Australian average. A major objective of this study is to investigate the possibility that particular aspects of the diet and cuisine of migrants from southern Europe (olive oil as the major dietary fat, and high intakes of a variety of vegetables and fruit) protect against heart disease and stroke by providing high levels of a wide range of natural antioxidants. It represents the most comprehensive prospective study of diet and cardiovascular disease mortality ever conducted in Australia. A particularly powerful feature is the combination of detailed self-reported dietary intake, the very wide range of exposures to dietary factors implicated in CVD (as risk factors or protective agents), and the objective markers of dietary intake (biochemical markers of dietary intake patterns in blood collected at recruitment, body weight, body fat and body fat distribution). The data should provide a strong rationale for specific dietary recommendations as part of population-based strategies to reduce the incidence of premature mortality from heart disease and stroke in the Australian population.Read moreRead less
Assessment To Service Outcomes - Care Pathways For Older Australians With Dementia, CVD And Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$656,029.00
Summary
The project aims to use existing data source to answer questions similar to �What happens to people after they have been assessed and recommended for aged care? in respect of service delivery for people with one of the three chronic conditions dementia, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. The project is to provide information about issues such as �bed blockers� and determine if the outcomes are different for people who have been assessed for aged care while they are in hospital. It is to chart ....The project aims to use existing data source to answer questions similar to �What happens to people after they have been assessed and recommended for aged care? in respect of service delivery for people with one of the three chronic conditions dementia, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. The project is to provide information about issues such as �bed blockers� and determine if the outcomes are different for people who have been assessed for aged care while they are in hospital. It is to chart changes in service use over time and examine factors that affect the type of care used by older people.Read moreRead less
PlaTFORM: PrevenTing Falls In A High Risk, Vision Impaired Population Through Specialist ORientation And Mobility Services: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$773,768.00
Summary
While many older people fall causing injury and loss of confidence, people with vision impairment and blindness have a dramatically increased risk of falls. In the PlaTFORM study we will deliver and comprehensively evaluate a falls prevention program through instructors with specialised training in orientation and mobility. This fills a gap in services and if effective will prevent injury in this vulnerable population and promote mobility.
How Does The Trunk Influence Intersegmental Coordination During Functional Tasks In Parkinson’s Disease: A Risk Factor For Falls?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,032.00
Summary
Differences in trunk motion during dynamic tasks may provide a mechanism of falling in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. However, objective measures are needed to discern if these differences stem from deficits in motor programming or increased trunk stiffness. This information is critical for developing effective interventions. This project will incorporate innovative techniques to examine how the trunk muscles coordinate movement and control balance during walking in PD.
Better Evidence And New Tools To Improve Health After Surgical Menopause
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,855,260.00
Summary
Surgical menopause is removal of both ovaries before natural menopause. Surgical menopause may have severe adverse health consequences including short-term symptoms and long-term risk of chronic disease, but more information is needed to inform evidence-based care. This study will deliver the best available evidence internationally on the short (up to 5 year) and long (>20 year) consequences of surgical menopause and new tools for clinicians and patients to integrate this evidence into practi ....Surgical menopause is removal of both ovaries before natural menopause. Surgical menopause may have severe adverse health consequences including short-term symptoms and long-term risk of chronic disease, but more information is needed to inform evidence-based care. This study will deliver the best available evidence internationally on the short (up to 5 year) and long (>20 year) consequences of surgical menopause and new tools for clinicians and patients to integrate this evidence into practiceRead moreRead less
Addressing Missing Links In The Care Of Older People To Improve Practice And Outcomes: Program Efficacy, Implementation Effectiveness And Knowledge Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,507.00
Summary
Many older people live with disability and can struggle to perform even simple day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, disability escalates with age. Our population is ageing rapidly—one of the fastest in the world—due to a world-class health system and low fertility. Despite a growth in health and research initiatives over the last decade, there remains much room to improve the health and well-being of older people. This research addresses this need by undertaking an innovative and targeted progr ....Many older people live with disability and can struggle to perform even simple day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, disability escalates with age. Our population is ageing rapidly—one of the fastest in the world—due to a world-class health system and low fertility. Despite a growth in health and research initiatives over the last decade, there remains much room to improve the health and well-being of older people. This research addresses this need by undertaking an innovative and targeted program of work.Read moreRead less
The ASPREE-fracture Sub-study: Does Daily Low-dose Aspirin Reduce Fracture Risk In Healthy Older Adults?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,351,150.00
Summary
Disability, mortality and healthcare burden from fractures in older people is a growing problem worldwide. This is despite decades of clinical research, best practice guidelines and advances in therapies that aim to reduce fracture risk. The World Health Organization has identified fracture prevention as a public health priority. This study will determine whether a widely available, simple and inexpensive health intervention—aspirin—can reduce the incidence of fracture and associated disability ....Disability, mortality and healthcare burden from fractures in older people is a growing problem worldwide. This is despite decades of clinical research, best practice guidelines and advances in therapies that aim to reduce fracture risk. The World Health Organization has identified fracture prevention as a public health priority. This study will determine whether a widely available, simple and inexpensive health intervention—aspirin—can reduce the incidence of fracture and associated disability amongst older Australians.Read moreRead less
Longitudinal Study Of Modifiable Influences For The Development Of Harmful Young Adult Alcohol Use And Related-problems.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,484,496.00
Summary
Young adulthood is a time of high vulnerability for alcohol use problems that are the major preventable contributor to death and injury in this age period. This 5-year project will identify modifiable influences in adolescence and young adulthood that contribute to harmful alcohol use. A cohort of almost 3,000 young people initially recruited in Victoria in 2002 (aged 11 to 15) will be followed for two further waves of data collection in 2010-11 (age 19 to 23) and 2012-13 (age 21 to 25).
A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A General Practice Based Intervention To Prevent Chronic Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,357.00
Summary
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes contribute greatly to the burden of disease in Australian society. Prevention of these conditions is a high priority for the health system. There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent chronic disease in those at high risk. However the feasibility of intervening through general practice and other existing services has not been demonstrated. We have previously conducted research on a structured approach ....Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes contribute greatly to the burden of disease in Australian society. Prevention of these conditions is a high priority for the health system. There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent chronic disease in those at high risk. However the feasibility of intervening through general practice and other existing services has not been demonstrated. We have previously conducted research on a structured approach to helping patients with risk factors for chronic disease (such as smoking, poor nutrition, hazardous alcohol consumption and physical inactivity) including both cardiovascular disease and diabetes in general practice. This study aims to evaluate the impact of recalling patients to general practice for a visit to assess their risk of chronic disease and to help them to lower their risk by changes to smoking, diet, alcohol consumption and physical activity behaviours. Practices in the intervention group will receive training, practice visits, resources, and referral pathways to enable them to invite eligible patients to attend the practice for an assessment and management of their risk factors. This will include provision of education materials, support for behaviour change, referral to diet education and physical activity program and follow up. The feasibility of this type of vascular disease prevention intervention for high-risk patients has not been trialled previously in Australia. The findings of this research will help to inform Australian and State health policy especially the preventive care initiatives recently announced by the Council of Australian Governments. It will also inform practice leading to better guidelines for general practice preventive care, better support for general practice to provide preventive care for patients at risk of chronic disease and better support for patients to reduce their risk of chronic disease by changing their behaviour.Read moreRead less