Redesigning Maternal, Newborn And Child Health Services For The Best Start In Life For First Nations Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
We are leading maternity care reform in partnership with First Nation communities and heath services. Our hands-on research has seen unprecedented improvements in maternal and infant health for First Nation families. We would drive expansion to more communities using our innovative RISE Framework: Redesign the health service; Invest in the health and research workforce; Strengthen family capacity; and Embed First Nations governance for the best start in life for First Nation families.
The Strong Families Trial: Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Family Strengthening Program To Prevent Unhealthy Weight Gain Among 5- To 11-year Old Children From At Risk Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,338,625.00
Summary
The study will test the effectiveness of an integrated package of parenting and lifestyle interventions for parents or carers from socially disadvantaged areas in reducing the risk of obesity among their 5-11 year-old children. It will provide scientific evidence of the additive effectiveness of a mixed parenting program when combined with a standard lifestyle intervention to prevent unhealthy weight gain and improving the family environment among mostly migrant populations
Developing And Validating A Neuropsychological Screening Protocol For HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) In CALD Communities In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,076.00
Summary
This study aims to assess the effects of HIV infection on the brain in Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Progressive neurological dysfunction is common in HIV infection and the early detection of such dysfunction is crucial in informing treatment decisions. The need for a simple, valid and sensitive screening method for HIV associated neurological problems in Australians from CALD backgrounds is of paramount importance.
Investigating The Inclusion Of Vulnerable Populations In Advance Care Planning: Developing Complex And Sensitive Public Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$379,368.00
Summary
People from Indigenous, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, and those living with chronic disease, tell us that current Advance Care Planning (ACP) policy and practice doesn’t meet their needs. This Partnership Project will work with these communities to develop inclusive, sensitive policy and practice for ACP— so all Australians get the care they deserve. It will also establish how to include vulnerable populations in developing health policy on complex and sensitive issues.
Evaluation Of SCID-I In The Diagnosis Of Mental Disorders In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$988,007.00
Summary
Current estimates of mental disease among Indigenous Australians are inadequate. This research will examine the use of a structured interview tool that is promoted globally for diagnosing mental disorders, and then use the tool to quantify the burden of mental illness among Indigenous Australians. The findings will provide accurate estimates of occurrence of mental disorders, thereby help inform policy making and planning of services for Indigenous Australians.
Psychological Morbidity, Unmet Needs And Patterns Of Care In Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Cancer Patients In Au
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,405.00
Summary
Australia has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. There is evidence that cancer patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups have poorer outcomes. People from CALD backgrounds may experience difficulties within the Australian health system for a variety of reasons, including langauge barriers, a lack of knowledge of the healthcare system, differing beliefs and attitudes abouit illness and treatment, religious and spiritual differences, communication ....Australia has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. There is evidence that cancer patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups have poorer outcomes. People from CALD backgrounds may experience difficulties within the Australian health system for a variety of reasons, including langauge barriers, a lack of knowledge of the healthcare system, differing beliefs and attitudes abouit illness and treatment, religious and spiritual differences, communication difficulties and social suffering. There is good evidence that English speaking cancer patients suffer high levels of anxiety and depression, and that their needs are not currently adequately met by the current system. Previous research in psycho-oncology has on the whole excluded patients from non-English speaking backgrounds due to a lack of resources and expertise to ensure scientific validity of results. This study aims to discover the prevalence of anxiety, depression, unmet needs and access to care in 1st generation Chinese, Arabic and Greek speaking cancer patients. This study will inform the development of appropriate interventions to reduce the burden of a cancer diagnosis on these groups.Read moreRead less
Investigate the best modern, culturally secure, maternity care for Aboriginal women birthing in an urban maternity setting; evaluate principles for culturally secure maternity services and cultural competence development; advise policy change to promote cultural security; inform national accreditation policies to ensure a culturally competent midwifery workforce; inform literature on cultural competence and cultural security; and translate outcomes to state and national policy/practice.
Randomised Trial Of A GP-initiated Tobacco Control Intervention With Arabic-speaking Smokers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$232,000.00
Summary
Previous estimates of smoking rates among Arabic-speakers men and women range from 43% to 55%. No intervention has been designed specifically to target smoking in this community. Barriers to smoking cessation among Arabic-speakers are poorly understood. GPs find it difficult to counsel smokers about their smoking. Even when they do, they are as likely to use ineffective strategies. An alternative approach is referral of smokers by GPs to a smoking cessation skilled in evidence-based behavioural ....Previous estimates of smoking rates among Arabic-speakers men and women range from 43% to 55%. No intervention has been designed specifically to target smoking in this community. Barriers to smoking cessation among Arabic-speakers are poorly understood. GPs find it difficult to counsel smokers about their smoking. Even when they do, they are as likely to use ineffective strategies. An alternative approach is referral of smokers by GPs to a smoking cessation skilled in evidence-based behavioural strategies to facilitate abstinence. Therefore, we propose to conduct a randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of referral of smokers attending general practices who offer consultation in Arabic to an Arabic-speaking counsellor for intensive support to improve quit rates at six and twelve months. We also will assess the acceptability of the intervention to smokers and GPs. Participating Arabic-speaking GPs in SWS will refer to the study about 1050 Arabic men and women aged between 18 and 65 years who self-report being current smokers. Participants will receive either intensive smoking cessation intervention or usual care provided by their GPs and self-help written information. The Intensive intervention will involve usual care by GPs and intensive smoking cessation counselling program that will involve series of scheduled telephone calls from an Arabic-speaking counsellor trained in smoking cessation counselling; printed self-help material in Arabic script and also will be offered a home visit and face-to-face counselling session. Results from this randomised trial will add to the scarce literature about smoking cessation among ethnic CALD minorities in Australia and overseas. If proven to be effective, a new choice will have been emerged to achieve optimal tobacco control in ethnic minorities in general practice. Divisions could consider employing bilingual counsellors as a resource for all GPs in their region.Read moreRead less
Improving Mental Health For Young People In Out-of-home Care: Providng Participatory Evidence-based Mental Health Care Across Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$956,114.00
Summary
Young people in out-of-home care have experienced traumas and adversities. They are highly vulnerable to mental ill-health and associated problems with relationships, education and meaningful activity. The project aims to deliver evidence-based mental health support and care across the health and community service system relevant to these young people in Victoria. The aim is to work in partnership to reduce the risks of mental ill-health and support more effective treatment and recovery.
Neurocognitive And Social Changes Associated With Unleaded Petrol Sniffing And Abstinence From Further Sniffing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,570.00
Summary
Currently, there is a poor understanding about the nature and permanence of brain damage associated with sniffing petrol. Previously, we used culturally-appropriate assessments of brain function to test Aboriginal petrol sniffers from remote communities in northern Australia. This showed that recreational petrol sniffers who remained living in their communities showed some degree of brain dysfunction that affected their ability to concentrate, remember things, learn, control their emotions and c ....Currently, there is a poor understanding about the nature and permanence of brain damage associated with sniffing petrol. Previously, we used culturally-appropriate assessments of brain function to test Aboriginal petrol sniffers from remote communities in northern Australia. This showed that recreational petrol sniffers who remained living in their communities showed some degree of brain dysfunction that affected their ability to concentrate, remember things, learn, control their emotions and control their behaviour. Petrol sniffing was then completely stopped in these communities. Two years later, among people who had shown brain dysfunction from sniffing petrol, our assessments showed some recovery of some of the brain damage caused by sniffing petrol. Initially, the current study aims to determine the longer-term outcomes for abstinent petrol sniffers by returning to these communities and assessing social and brain function outcomes in the original study participants, now over 10 years since they stopped sniffing petrol. The second part of the study will focus on the specific effects on the brain, behaviour and social function of sniffing unleaded petrol in comparison to leaded petrol, alcohol, other inhalants and polydrug use. It will also further investigate the time course of recovery of brain function and social outcomes in the immediate period following abstinence from petrol sniffing. This will involve recruiting petrol sniffers who move to outstation communities to stop sniffing, and have them perform brain function tests several times over the months or years that they spend recovering. These findings will enable the development of appropriate programs to minimise the harm from petrol sniffing. It will also establish an assessment protocol for the classification of petrol related brain damage that can be used by health professionals such as Aboriginal health workers, nurses and doctors.Read moreRead less