Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.
Development And Validation Of The First Culturally Based Quality Of Life Tool For Aboriginal Australians Living With Dementia Or Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,435.00
Summary
Enhancing quality of life (QoL) is the central goal of care providers for clients with dementia. A QoL tool identifies areas of need, enabling strategies to be planned and evaluated accordingly. Dementia is highly prevalent in Aboriginal Australians. There is no QoL tool for Aboriginal Australians living with dementia. This project will develop and test a QoL tool with Aboriginal Australians living with dementia or other cognitive impairment. The factors affecting QoL will also be identified.
Implementing Evidence Into Practice To Improve Chronic Lung Disease Management In Indigenous Australians: The Breathe Easy, Walk Easy-Lungs For Life (BE WELL) Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,089.00
Summary
The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Indigenous Australians far exceeds that in non-Indigenous Australians. The project will evaluate whether the BE WELL program can build the capacity of Aboriginal health workers to provide affordable and effective management of COPD, including pulmonary rehabilitation. This program will improve health outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and address the poor access to best-practice management of COPD in Indigenous communities.
Developing A Sustainable Community Based Response To Asbestos-related Diseases In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,155.00
Summary
Asbestos-related disease in remote Aboriginal communities where asbestos mining has occurred over many decades is an under-recognised problem. In contrast to many occupationally-exposed groups, little is known or published on the burden of disease affecting these communities and health program responses based on good science are underdeveloped. This project will support two Aboriginal community-controlled primary health care services to: estimate the number of people affected in local communitie ....Asbestos-related disease in remote Aboriginal communities where asbestos mining has occurred over many decades is an under-recognised problem. In contrast to many occupationally-exposed groups, little is known or published on the burden of disease affecting these communities and health program responses based on good science are underdeveloped. This project will support two Aboriginal community-controlled primary health care services to: estimate the number of people affected in local communities; find the best way to diagnose and manage lung and asbestos disease and prevent complications; advocate for affected individuals, families and communities. Rather than the usual 'in-out' health survey, this research project will build the capacity of local communities and health service to implement and sustain holistic responses.Read moreRead less
Patterns Of Cancer Care For Indigenous People In NSW
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,690,636.00
Summary
Cancer is the second biggest killer of Indigenous Australians: for some cancers the mortality rate is more than 3 times higher in Aboriginal people and overall it is 60% higher. While differences in stage at diagnosis and the type and duration of care received by Aboriginal people may contribute to the higher mortality, this has not been studied in detail. New South Wales has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. Reliable and current data on cancer care for NSW Aboriginal people will a ....Cancer is the second biggest killer of Indigenous Australians: for some cancers the mortality rate is more than 3 times higher in Aboriginal people and overall it is 60% higher. While differences in stage at diagnosis and the type and duration of care received by Aboriginal people may contribute to the higher mortality, this has not been studied in detail. New South Wales has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. Reliable and current data on cancer care for NSW Aboriginal people will allow health services to better target cancer care. The aims of this project are: to determine whether Aboriginal people are being diagnosed with cancer at later stages; to describe the barriers to Aboriginal people being diagnosed earlier and accessing cancer care; to describe the care that Aboriginal people with cancer are currently receiving; and to compare their level and types of care with that received by non-Indigenous people. We will conduct four studies to address these aims. We will conduct interviews with Aboriginal people diagnosed with cancer and Aboriginal health workers who look after people with cancer to find out about their perceptions and experiences of Aboriginal people dealing with cancer. We will analyse a data set containing records from the NSW Central Cancer Registry and hospital admission records for people living in NSW. Treatments for cancer for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people will be compared. This analysis will be complemented by an examination of records at Aboriginal Medical Services to obtain information on other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and referrals to specialists. We will also conduct a population-based patterns of care study where questionnaires seeking information about the diagnostic tests performed and types of treatment given will be sent to doctors who have treated Aboriginal people with cancer. In addition, information will be obtained from Aboriginal people with newly diagnosed cancer about the clinical pathway that led to the diagnosis.Read moreRead less
Improving Detection And Management Of DEmentia In Older Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islanders Attending Primary Care (IDEA-PC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,172,422.00
Summary
This project will co-design, implement and evaluate a nationwide culturally responsive model of care for primary care professionals to optimise the detection and management of dementia and cognitive impairment in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Rates of dementia are triple those of other communities and this research aims to optimise the well- being for older people with dementia, their families and communities throughout their journey of care.