The effectiveness of health impact assessments conducted in Australia and New Zealand. Health impact assessment (HIA) has been internationally recognised as one of a limited number of preventive interventions that can be used to enhance the health benefits of health and other sector activities - policies, programs and projects - before they are implemented. The issue of how effective HIA is in changing decision-making and implementation remains largely unresolved however. This study will exami ....The effectiveness of health impact assessments conducted in Australia and New Zealand. Health impact assessment (HIA) has been internationally recognised as one of a limited number of preventive interventions that can be used to enhance the health benefits of health and other sector activities - policies, programs and projects - before they are implemented. The issue of how effective HIA is in changing decision-making and implementation remains largely unresolved however. This study will examine the effectiveness HIAs that have been completed in Australia and New Zealand between 2005 and 2009. The findings will guide the use of HIA by the public and private sectors in Australia and internationally, and improve HIA's ability to strengthen Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less
Mis-reporting, adaptation and anchoring: the implications for self assessed health. In terms of targeting scarce public health resources, information concerning the true health status of different social groups is important. This project will provide more accurate information on the health of the Australian population using data already collected on a routine basis. Resources can then be targeted to reduce health inequalities.
Improving Health Promotion Through Continuous Quality Improvement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,421.00
Summary
This research will investigate the impact of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) model on health promotion practice for chronic disease prevention in Indigenous communities. The aim is to improve health promotion practice by assisting health services improve their systems for providing and supporting the delivery of health promotion and chronic disease prevention strategies.
Improving Consumer Knowledge And Access To Health Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,447.00
Summary
All health care services aim to provide the right care, at the right time in the right place. There is growing evidence to suggest that a person’s ability to obtain and understand basic information about their health condition, defined as their level of health literacy, impacts on how they access health care. This study aims to determine whether health literacy impacts on some people’s decision to utilise emergency department care instead of their general practitioner for non-emergency condition ....All health care services aim to provide the right care, at the right time in the right place. There is growing evidence to suggest that a person’s ability to obtain and understand basic information about their health condition, defined as their level of health literacy, impacts on how they access health care. This study aims to determine whether health literacy impacts on some people’s decision to utilise emergency department care instead of their general practitioner for non-emergency conditions.Read moreRead less
A Structured Systems Approach For Improving Health Promotion Practice For Chronic Diseases In Indigenous Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,592.00
Summary
This project will trial a model for continuous improvement, with the aim of assisting health services and community based organisations to improve the services they deliver to promote health and prevent chronic disease in Indigenous communities.
Understanding and reducing alcohol-related harm among young adults in urban settings: Opportunities for intervention. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor to injury and death, with 2634 young Australians dying from alcohol-related causes in the decade to 2004. Local governments (LGs) urgently require research evidence on which to base policy to reduce alcohol-related harms. The project will provide an analysis of patterns of alcohol consumption by young adults in inner and peri-urban (grow ....Understanding and reducing alcohol-related harm among young adults in urban settings: Opportunities for intervention. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor to injury and death, with 2634 young Australians dying from alcohol-related causes in the decade to 2004. Local governments (LGs) urgently require research evidence on which to base policy to reduce alcohol-related harms. The project will provide an analysis of patterns of alcohol consumption by young adults in inner and peri-urban (growth corridor) LG areas, along with information about how young adults view alcohol use. In collaboration with industry partners VicHealth, the Victorian Department of Human Services, the Municipal Association of Victoria and LGs in Hume and Yarra, specific policy recommendations for implementation at LG, state and national levels will be developed and disseminated. Read moreRead less
Reducing The Gap Right From The Start: Translating Effective Approaches To Prevent Child Obesity In Disadvantaged Families Into Primary Health Care Policy And Routine Practice.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,376.00
Summary
The aim of this fellowship is to identify effective primary health care (PHC) based approaches to prevent obesity amongst children from disadvantaged families and understand the factors influencing the uptake of such approaches into routine PHC policy and practice. The findings will inform practice and policy decisions about the implementation of child obesity prevention programs within the Australian PHC system.
Improving the physical and oral health of people with severe mental illness: using Normalisation Process Theory to support new practices. The physical health of people with severe mental illness is extremely poor, often due to inadequate attention to their health needs by health professionals in primary care and the public mental health system. This project will focus on how practices can be changed to improve the health of this population and increase their access to preventative healthcare.
Understanding The Socio-cultural Dimensions Of Tuberculosis In Papua New Guinea: Knowledge To Optimise Public Health Solutions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,410.00
Summary
Papua New Guinea has among the highest TB incidence rates in the world, with rates in particular areas considerably higher. This three-year qualitative study will examine the socio-cultural contexts of TB control programs. The project outcome will be better contextualised solutions to improve the effectiveness of TB control programs and therefore the spread of TB and its drug resistant forms.
Protecting The Mental Health Of Children And Child Care Workers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Creating healthy social environments is essential to preventing mental illness. Child care is a work and care environment that is likely to influence providers’ and children’s mental health. This project uses national surveys and interviews with providers and child care services to understand how child care work environments impact on the mental health of children and providers. This knowledge will inform organisational and government changes to support good mental health in child care.