Impact Of Health Policy On The Delivery Of Dental Services And Child Oral Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,304,799.00
Summary
This project will study the use of dental services by children and adolescents in Australia and how use relates to oral health outcomes. Variation in the support for the use of private dentists and the organisation and delivery of school dental services will be compared both within and across all states and territories so as to inform policy discussions on how to best improve child oral health.
Looking Forward - Moving Forward Project: Transforming Systems To Improve Mental Health And Drug And Alcohol Outcomes For Aboriginal Peoples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,304,508.00
Summary
Despite the clear need for support, Aboriginal people do not access mental health and drug and alcohol services at a level that corresponds with their need. We need to know how services can respond appropriately to this high-risk group of people. This project brings together Perth-based services, researchers and local Aboriginal Elders to implement and evaluate a framework for organisational change that will transform the way in which services respond to Aboriginal people.
Novel Interventions To Address Methamphetamines In Aboriginal Communities, Including A Randomised Trial Of A Web Based Therapeutic Tool Used To Treat Dependence In Clinical Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,177,908.00
Summary
Methamphetamine use in Aboriginal communities has gained much media attention, despite limited research studies to ascertain the full extent of its use and its impact. We propose a randomised trial of a web based therapeutic tool for use in Aboriginal Medical Services to treat clients using methamphetamines. In addition we will characterise the health and well-being of Aboriginal people who use methamphetamines and trial unique Aboriginal community led interventions to address methamphetamines.
The Effectiveness Of A Responsible Hospitality Audit And Feedback Intervention To Reduce Alcohol Related Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,875.00
Summary
Alcohol is a major cause of death, injury and illness in Australia accounting for over 3,000 deaths and over 72,000 hospital admissions each year. Excessive drinking is estimated to cost the Australian community $7,560 million each year, representing 22% of all drug-related harm. Alcohol is a significant contributor to the occurrence of violence and crime. It is estimated that up to 70% of incidents attended by the police, and 77% of street offences such as assaults and malicious damage to prope ....Alcohol is a major cause of death, injury and illness in Australia accounting for over 3,000 deaths and over 72,000 hospital admissions each year. Excessive drinking is estimated to cost the Australian community $7,560 million each year, representing 22% of all drug-related harm. Alcohol is a significant contributor to the occurrence of violence and crime. It is estimated that up to 70% of incidents attended by the police, and 77% of street offences such as assaults and malicious damage to property, are alcohol-related. It is also estimated that 70% to 80% of night-time single-vehicle accidents are alcohol-related. A large proportion of assaults, offensive behaviour, malicious damage to property and drink driving occur following excessive drinking at licensed premises such as hotels and registered clubs. The risk of harm arising from the consumption of alcohol on licensed premises can be reduced by modifying such factors as service of alcohol to intoxicated patrons, service-supply of alcohol to underage patrons, management practices (eg. late closing) and environmental factors (eg. poor lighting). Auditing of licensed premises is an approach currently used by authorities to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. However, such audits do not focus on harm reduction and do not incorporate best practice audit and behaviour change features. No controlled studies have reported the effectiveness of such an audit approach in reducing the risk of violence and crime emanating from hotels and registered clubs. The proposed study aims to assess the effectiveness of a Responsible Hospitality Audit and feedback intervention in reducing service to intoxicated and underage patrons, and in reducing assaults-malicious damage to property following alcohol consumption on licensed premises. The outcomes of this study will be improved responsible service of alcohol actions and reduced alcohol-related crime associated with premises.Read moreRead less
Use Of Molecular Resistance Assays To Provide Alterative Oral Treatment Strategies For Gonorrhoea In Indigenous And Other High-risk Populations; A Randomised Cluster Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$828,671.00
Summary
Gonorrhoea has now developed resistance to almost all antibiotics that have been used to treat it. In this study, we will investigate a new treatment approach that selects antibiotics on a patient-by-patient basis. We will use new molecular assays to first test if a gonorrhoea strain infecting a patient is susceptible to an antibiotic, and will then treat on the basis of this result. By doing so, we will optimize our use of antibiotics and improve treatment strategies for gonorrhea.
Creating and sustaining a strong future for volunteering in Australia. This project seeks to answer the question of how to increase social participation by converting non-volunteers to the benefits of volunteering. In Australia today, communities and governments are increasingly dependent on volunteers to build social capital and deliver an increasing range of services. A world first, this project aims to create new theory by examining three levels of analysis: the micro level of the individual ....Creating and sustaining a strong future for volunteering in Australia. This project seeks to answer the question of how to increase social participation by converting non-volunteers to the benefits of volunteering. In Australia today, communities and governments are increasingly dependent on volunteers to build social capital and deliver an increasing range of services. A world first, this project aims to create new theory by examining three levels of analysis: the micro level of the individual volunteer or non-volunteer; the mezzo level of the volunteer-involving organisation; and the macro level of society. This innovative approach aims to identify, analyse and develop a tool to help organisations build Australia’s civil society and develop policy to create a sustainable volunteer sector into the future.Read moreRead less
Health, Economic, Psychological And Social Impact Of Educating Carers Of Patients With Advanced Pulmonary Disease (APD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,452.00
Summary
Our study aims to understand the health, economic and social costs associated with caring for patients with advanced pulmonary disease (APD) and to determine health, economic and social impact of improving the skills of caregivers of patients with APD has on patients and their carers. Patients with APD are a large population at high risk of health resource use, unnecessary medication use and emergency admission to hospital or residential care facilities. Although previous research has identified ....Our study aims to understand the health, economic and social costs associated with caring for patients with advanced pulmonary disease (APD) and to determine health, economic and social impact of improving the skills of caregivers of patients with APD has on patients and their carers. Patients with APD are a large population at high risk of health resource use, unnecessary medication use and emergency admission to hospital or residential care facilities. Although previous research has identified difficulties experienced by caregivers of the elderly in general, very little research has been undertaken with carers of patients with APD. The study will compare the usual practice of educating patients with APD who commence home oxygen therapy (HOT), and their carers, against a more detailed and individually targeted education program that increases the skills of patients and carers. This study has the potential to reduce hospital-residential care readmission, reduce carer distress, improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse effects of oxygen therapy and medication use, and minimize inappropriate presentation to tertiary care emergency departments.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Trial To Control Sexually Transmitted Infections In Remote Aboriginal Communities.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,847,403.00
Summary
This project will trial strategies for attaining clinical best practice in sexual health with an overall objective of reducing the high rates of sexually transmitted infection in remote Aboriginal communities in central and northern Australia. The trial will take place in 21 communities of which seven will be randomly assigned in each of the three years of the trial. This trial will determine whether strengthening primary health services can reduce the level of these infections.
Using Online Social Technologies To Improve Health Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Physical inactivity and poor eating habits are leading causes of death and disease in Australia. Our health behaviours are influenced by our social networks. What’s more, Australians love social technologies, such as Facebook and smartphones. My research aims to harness these two factors to create socially-influential health programs. I will work with video game developers to develop fun and engaging interventions, and a viral marketer and leading organisations to spread the interventions.
Improving outcomes for young people transitioning from out-of-home care. The central aim of this project is to generate the new knowledge needed to support the development, implementation, and diffusion of evidence-based innovations for young people as they transition from out-of-home care to adulthood. The project is significant because young people living in out-of-home care are more likely to enter juvenile justice, become a teenage parent, be socially excluded, have mental and physical healt ....Improving outcomes for young people transitioning from out-of-home care. The central aim of this project is to generate the new knowledge needed to support the development, implementation, and diffusion of evidence-based innovations for young people as they transition from out-of-home care to adulthood. The project is significant because young people living in out-of-home care are more likely to enter juvenile justice, become a teenage parent, be socially excluded, have mental and physical health problems and addictions. Outcomes include a world first longitudinal data evidence base, exemplars of best practice, and guidance to advance the application of transition pathways and plans to inform future innovations in Victoria and across Australia for improving transition from care with, by, and for young people. Read moreRead less