The Impact Of Urban Design On Physical And Mental Health Building Capacity For Research Across The Life Course
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,194,515.00
Summary
In the last decade there has been growing recognition that the urban environment influences health. The design of neighborhoods and public open space design as well as transport planning is associated with levels of walking, cycling and use of public transport, as well as the sense of community, positive mental health, depression and asthma. Low-density, automobile dependent suburbs discourage the use of non-motorized forms of transport and public transport use, thereby reducing physical activit ....In the last decade there has been growing recognition that the urban environment influences health. The design of neighborhoods and public open space design as well as transport planning is associated with levels of walking, cycling and use of public transport, as well as the sense of community, positive mental health, depression and asthma. Low-density, automobile dependent suburbs discourage the use of non-motorized forms of transport and public transport use, thereby reducing physical activity and opportunities for casual contacts between neighbors. Nevertheless, how to optimize urban environment to meet the needs of different population groups (eg. Children and young people, older adults, as well as the general public) has been largely unexplored. While more walkable neighborhoods (i.e., those characterized by higher density, mixed use planning and enhanced connectivity) may encourage able-bodied adults to do more working, the impact on children, young people and older adults is unknown. For example, adults generally report there is more traffic in more walkable areas. Exposure to traffic decreases the likelihood of children walking. In addition, higher levels of traffic increase traffic pollution, thereby increasing the likelihood of asthma. Moreover, while some research suggests that social capital or sense of community is higher in more walkable neighborhoods; other research suggests that living on a busy road decreases one�s social networks. Thus, it is likely that there is an optimum level of walkability that encourages sense of community. The proposed research will build upon and strengthen and extensive program of research examining the impact of the urban environment on adults, by adding programs of work with children and older adults. It will build our group�s capacity for research in this area, by building expertise within the whole team for appropriate qualitative, statistical and geo-spatial methods which will assist our team to work in this complex, multi-disciplinary area. With input from consumers, practitioners and policy-makers a major focus of this applied research program will be designing research that can be translated into policy and practice with the aim of creating urban environments that promote good health.Read moreRead less
HERON: Using Population Health Data To Improve Health Services, Policy And Planning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
This program aims to improve the use of population health data sets in supporting health care decisions and policy making. The team has formed the Health Evaluation Research and Outcomes Network (HERON) to bring together researchers with skills in the analysis and interpretation of these data and policy makers. The program will explore the use of these datasets in planning and evaluating cancer and perinatal services and in measuring equity of access to quality health care. The team will build s ....This program aims to improve the use of population health data sets in supporting health care decisions and policy making. The team has formed the Health Evaluation Research and Outcomes Network (HERON) to bring together researchers with skills in the analysis and interpretation of these data and policy makers. The program will explore the use of these datasets in planning and evaluating cancer and perinatal services and in measuring equity of access to quality health care. The team will build skills in undertaking research that is useful to policy makers and in the relevant statistical and epidemiological techniques.Read moreRead less
Building Capacity In Policy Relevant, Quantitative, Social Analysis And Research In Indigenous Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,449,933.00
Summary
This program aims to develop a critical mass of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers who combine advanced quantitative skills with a keen understanding of the needs of policy makers. The program will develop researchers who are able to undertake the type of research and critical analysis that is necessary to improve the evidence base for Indigenous health and social
Building Capacity For Physical Activity Research In Population Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,118,560.00
Summary
The program will focus on the 'diseases of inactivity' and will look at factors like obtaining accurate statistics on rates of inactivity and better statistics on which social groups are least active. It will look at: • the types of activity that are best for different people; • what the best types of exercise programs are; • the types of information campaigns that will be most effective; and • how community amenities and local environments might be used to help people to be active in ways that ....The program will focus on the 'diseases of inactivity' and will look at factors like obtaining accurate statistics on rates of inactivity and better statistics on which social groups are least active. It will look at: • the types of activity that are best for different people; • what the best types of exercise programs are; • the types of information campaigns that will be most effective; and • how community amenities and local environments might be used to help people to be active in ways that are more convenient and enjoyable.Read moreRead less
Prevention And Management Of Mental Disorders In Older Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,486,509.00
Summary
Dementia, mild cognitive impairment and depression are the major neuropsychiatric problems that Australia’s ageing population will face in the next 50 years. With the rapid advances in neuroscience, we need a cohort of young researchers who can translate this knowledge into better health outcomes for older Australians. The Brain and Ageing Program (B and AP) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has identified potential future leaders who will develop key research themes to improve the men ....Dementia, mild cognitive impairment and depression are the major neuropsychiatric problems that Australia’s ageing population will face in the next 50 years. With the rapid advances in neuroscience, we need a cohort of young researchers who can translate this knowledge into better health outcomes for older Australians. The Brain and Ageing Program (B and AP) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has identified potential future leaders who will develop key research themes to improve the mental health of older Australians. This grant will enable them to take on this challenge.Read moreRead less
Not Just Scholars But Leaders: Learning Circles In Indigenous Health Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
This collaborative research proposal brings together an outstanding team of population health researchers with a team of highly talented Indigenous achievers, including two medical doctors, two researchers who have completed doctorates and seven with Masters degrees. The primary aim of this capacity building grant is to develop a critical mass of Indigenous researchers undertaking high quality research into population health research priorities determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ....This collaborative research proposal brings together an outstanding team of population health researchers with a team of highly talented Indigenous achievers, including two medical doctors, two researchers who have completed doctorates and seven with Masters degrees. The primary aim of this capacity building grant is to develop a critical mass of Indigenous researchers undertaking high quality research into population health research priorities determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to link research findings into policy and practice. Over a period of five years, Indigenous researchers will be linked with centres of excellence in research elsewhere in Australia and internationally. The researchers will develop and enhance their skills in research around four major themes. The first aims to improve quality of relevant research, increase Indigenous people's participation in research and identify optimal ways of providing feedback of research findings. The second theme is around the provision and use of health services to develop a better understanding of the best and most cost-effective ways of providing preventive and acute care for Indigenous Australians. The third theme looks at lifestyle, behaviours and susceptibility to disease and the fourth theme at factors in people's lives that influence health in a positive way- pathways to resilience and wellbeing. At the end of the five year grant, the number of Indigenous people engaged in population health research will have increased substantially and some will be leading their own research teams. There will be a significant increase in population health research undertaken by Indigenous researchers on issues affecting the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There will be improved mechanisms in place to ensure that evidence from research is used to inform policy decisions such as funding and appropriate interventions.Read moreRead less
This proposal aims to build research capacity and methodological sophistication in economic evaluation and priority setting in health. An unprecedented critical mass of Australian experts in economic evaluation will be created who can then train a new generation of researchers. The proposal covers the following topics: Assessing the impact of economic evaluation and priority setting methods on resource allocation in Australia to better understand the methodological, conceptual, practical and pol ....This proposal aims to build research capacity and methodological sophistication in economic evaluation and priority setting in health. An unprecedented critical mass of Australian experts in economic evaluation will be created who can then train a new generation of researchers. The proposal covers the following topics: Assessing the impact of economic evaluation and priority setting methods on resource allocation in Australia to better understand the methodological, conceptual, practical and political barriers to its use ('policy analysis'); Developing appropriate, valid and reliable utility measures that are culturally appropriate for Indigenous populations, children and carers ('utility measures'); Developing methods and tools for measuring non-health sector costs and benefits from a social perspective ('cost benefit'); Refining methods for adjusting cost-effectiveness results to reflect other values such as equity, applicability and feasibility ('second filter'); Exploring the usefulness and appropriateness of different modeling approaches used in economic evaluation ('modeling'); and Developing techniques to measure gains in overall health system efficiency from the adoption of cost-effective interventions ('efficiency'). The proposed outcomes are: An increased number of independent researchers with expertise in economic evaluation-priority setting who develop their own research programs; Establish a critical mass of researchers who can improve the standard and acceptance of economic evaluation and priority setting methods in health, including priority setting for Indigenous Australians and other groups with special needs; Value-adding to existing priority setting and economic evaluation projects by validating methods and developing new approaches; Effective linkages between researchers and policy makers, advocates and other stakeholders to increase appreciation of the use of economic evaluation and priority setting in health policy and clinical practice; and Research transfer through workshops, presentations and peer-reviewed publications.Read moreRead less
Building Capacity In Innovative Approaches To Health Technology Assessment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,552,136.00
Summary
This research will develop innovative approaches to health technology assessment by using a range of data sources analysed using sophisticated econometrics techniques. It will build capacity in new methods of economic evaluation and in econometric analysis of administrative and clinical trial data, using sophisticated approaches to combining data sources. This will allow fuller assessment of cost-effectiveness, incorporating a wide range of possible coverage scenarios and detailed monitoring.
Oral Health Research For The Australian Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,501,265.00
Summary
This program will build capacity and expertise in Australia s population health research workforce. The program will pursue the broad research theme adding value to oral health surveys . Over a period of five years, eight junior researchers will work on projects that enhance the value of six oral health surveys within the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. Projects will range from analysis of inflammation caused by periodontal (gum) disease in th ....This program will build capacity and expertise in Australia s population health research workforce. The program will pursue the broad research theme adding value to oral health surveys . Over a period of five years, eight junior researchers will work on projects that enhance the value of six oral health surveys within the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. Projects will range from analysis of inflammation caused by periodontal (gum) disease in the Australian population, to evaluation of school dental services provided over the last 30 years. Team investigators will work on these surveys to tackle public health problems confronting four distinct dental generations of Australians: _1) people in the oldest tooth loss generation who have lost, on average, half of their natural teeth; 2) the amalgam generation of middle-aged adults who had unprecedented numbers of cavities that are now filled - treatment that requires extensive maintenance and repair; 3) the younger fluoride generation that has historically-low rates of dental decay; 4) and today s pre-schoolers among whom there is disturbing evidence that oral disease is becoming concentrated within the most disadvantaged segments of the population. Their work will improve the information base needed to promote oral health and prevent oral illness in the Australian population.Read moreRead less
Using Health Economics To Strengthen Ties Between Evidence, Policy And Practice In Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,925,648.00
Summary
There is a major shortage of researchers with health economics expertise in Australia. This grant will provide training and development for a team of health economists to research chronic diseases covering issues such as: What is the value for money from investment in different treatments? How do such diseases affect the economic circumstances of families? How do we ensure that strategies to address illness work in practice and can be sustained? How do these issues get put on the policy agenda?