Closing The Gap: Early Childhood Sustained Home Visiting For Families Of Aboriginal Infants In An Urban Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,244,402.00
Summary
The study aims to determine whether a sustained structured nurse home visiting (SSNVH) program is effective for Aboriginal families. In the context of increased government investment in home visiting programs for Indigenous children, this study will help to answer three critical questions: (1) Does SSNHV result in improved outcomes for Aboriginal infants? (2) Is SSNHV equally effective for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants?(3) What are the issues in adaptation and implementation?
Seeding Success: Identifying Factors That Contribute To Positive Early Childhood Health And Development In Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,845.00
Summary
This study will identify the key drivers of positive early childhood health and development in Aboriginal children, and the features of local communities and early childhood service provision that make a tangible difference, using a large population-based cohort of children in NSW. We will apply novel methods for using linked population data that can be used to inform program planning and evaluation nationally, and will advance theory, research and practice to "seed success" for Aboriginal child ....This study will identify the key drivers of positive early childhood health and development in Aboriginal children, and the features of local communities and early childhood service provision that make a tangible difference, using a large population-based cohort of children in NSW. We will apply novel methods for using linked population data that can be used to inform program planning and evaluation nationally, and will advance theory, research and practice to "seed success" for Aboriginal children.Read moreRead less
Achieving Better Mental Health For Maltreated Children: Translating Population Data Into Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,706.00
Summary
This project uses linked population data to determine (a) the earliest indicators of risk of harm, and (b) mental health outcomes and health-care costs associated with children receiving child protection services, in partnership with the NSW department of Family and Community Services. The findings will ensure timely and effective responses to the most vulnerable children to mitigate adverse mental health and other outcomes associated with early life adversity.
Determinants of children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a follow-up study from early childhood. This project investigates changes in preschool children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and influences on these changes, during the important period of transition to school. It will provide important information on how we might assist children to be more active, thereby avoiding the detrimental health and social outcomes of inactivity.
Child health and developmental inequities: Evidence for precision policy. The project aims to use cutting edge analytic approaches applied to existing data to identify how policy interventions related to parents’ mental health, preschool programs, and the built environment can be optimised to reduce inequities in children’s mental, academic, and physical health outcomes. The project will be informed by our partners and advisers from across government portfolios and service delivery, ensuring tha ....Child health and developmental inequities: Evidence for precision policy. The project aims to use cutting edge analytic approaches applied to existing data to identify how policy interventions related to parents’ mental health, preschool programs, and the built environment can be optimised to reduce inequities in children’s mental, academic, and physical health outcomes. The project will be informed by our partners and advisers from across government portfolios and service delivery, ensuring that the evidence generated has contemporary policy relevance. The project expects to identify clear and actionable policy pathways to reduce child inequities in Australia, which can benefit decision makers by helping them to direct limited public funds towards intervention opportunities that will have the greatest impact.Read moreRead less
Development of a comprehensive model and programmed intervention for emotion processing deficits in childhood-onset mental health problems. This research is in the National Research Priority, promoting and maintaining good health. Mental health problems cost Australia millions of dollars every year as well as creating immeasurable social adversity for individuals and families. The proposed research represents a significant step towards reducing these costs and improving the effectiveness of earl ....Development of a comprehensive model and programmed intervention for emotion processing deficits in childhood-onset mental health problems. This research is in the National Research Priority, promoting and maintaining good health. Mental health problems cost Australia millions of dollars every year as well as creating immeasurable social adversity for individuals and families. The proposed research represents a significant step towards reducing these costs and improving the effectiveness of early intervention and prevention. The research will lead to improvements in methods for early detection of child psychopathology with potential for implementation in both community health and educational services nation-wide. The research partnership will build Australia's capacity for innovative research in the development, early intervention and treatment of mental health problems.Read moreRead less
A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type-2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision-making in first-time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed f ....A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type-2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision-making in first-time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed for longer particularly in communities where breastfeeding is not the norm. Increased support for breastfeeding women from family, community and health professionals is likely to reduce the distress reported by many new mothers. Strategic application of findings will lead to health gains from increased breastfeeding and translate into significant cost savings for the Australian health system. Read moreRead less
Popping the Bubblewrap, Unleashing the Power of Play. The long-term costs of childhood obesity, bullying and poor mental health are staggering. Despite the investment of billions of dollars for prevention and intervention, the statistics continue to worsen. We offer a simple, sustainable, cost-effective programme of prevention aimed at important national priorities within health and research. We expect to demonstrate a significant effect on children's activity levels, coping and social skills th ....Popping the Bubblewrap, Unleashing the Power of Play. The long-term costs of childhood obesity, bullying and poor mental health are staggering. Despite the investment of billions of dollars for prevention and intervention, the statistics continue to worsen. We offer a simple, sustainable, cost-effective programme of prevention aimed at important national priorities within health and research. We expect to demonstrate a significant effect on children's activity levels, coping and social skills through strategies that are replicable in every school playground in the nation and to contribute to policy regarding play, health, and education.Read moreRead less
The HPA-axis as a marker for disruptive behaviour disorder subtypes in toddlers. Emerging neurobiological models of antisocial behaviour emphasise the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the onset of disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs). Given the broad consensus that antisocial trajectories originate in the toddler years, this project will use cortisol measures of HPA-axis activity to identify the mechanisms through which developmental factors interact with parenting and ....The HPA-axis as a marker for disruptive behaviour disorder subtypes in toddlers. Emerging neurobiological models of antisocial behaviour emphasise the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the onset of disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs). Given the broad consensus that antisocial trajectories originate in the toddler years, this project will use cortisol measures of HPA-axis activity to identify the mechanisms through which developmental factors interact with parenting and family environment to shape persistent DBDs; this will be achieved by following toddlers with severe DBDs across a controlled trial of a parenting intervention.Read moreRead less
Model of care: A family focussed approach to promote child protection. Childhood neglect and abuse is an issue for all Australians. Models of best practice for child protection services are essential to protect the well-being of these children. This project will draw upon information from consumers and workers to provide a framework for a sustainable model of best practice for child protection that is transferable to other settings. A further benefit of this study is that it will provide insight ....Model of care: A family focussed approach to promote child protection. Childhood neglect and abuse is an issue for all Australians. Models of best practice for child protection services are essential to protect the well-being of these children. This project will draw upon information from consumers and workers to provide a framework for a sustainable model of best practice for child protection that is transferable to other settings. A further benefit of this study is that it will provide insight into occupation health and safety issues associated with working in long term relationships with vulnerable families. Read moreRead less