Monitoring And Improving Hepatitis C Health Outcomes Among People With Hepatitis C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
In Australia, hepatitis C is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, costing $9.2 billion to the health care system. In the next year, side-effect prone hepatitis C therapies will be replaced with simple, tolerable, interferon-free therapies (cure >90%) that can reverse liver disease progression. My goal is to further develop my established research program in population-health related to HCV epidemiology, and therapeutic strategies, with a specific focus on PWID.
Recently Acquired Hepatitis C Infection: Insights From Virological, Therapeutic And Epidemiological Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Every year around 10,000 new cases of hepatitis C (HCV) infection occur within Australia, most of which are undiagnosed. Reasons for this include a lack of public awareness about the benefits of treatment at this stage. As new antiviral agents become available it is likely that therapy for recent HCV will become even easier and more successful. The aim of this research is to explore HCV transmission patterns, treatment strategies and long term health outcomes in people with recent HCV.
Epidemiology, Natural History And Treatment Of Hepatitis C Virus Infection In Injecting Drug Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
In Australia, the majority of hepatitis C is acquired by injecting drug users (IDUs). Given the asymptomatic nature of infection and difficulties in identifying and following those at risk of acquiring infection, our knowledge of hepatitis C has been hampered. The overall goal of this proposed research is to assess markers to better diagnose and predict clearance of hepatitis C, assess hepatitis C transmission and assess health services to enhance HCV assessment and treatment among IDUs.
Monitoring And Improving The Health Of Ex-prisoners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
More than 50,000 people are released from prison in Australia each year. Ex-prisoners experience high rates of chronic disease, social disadvantage, mental illness, drug dependence and premature death, yet we know almost nothing about how to improve their health outcomes. This program of research will identify key health issues for ex-prisoners and generate evidence-based responses, simultaneously improving health and reducing reoffending among this highly marginalised group.
Dependent drug use is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. However the process by which drug-related changes to the human brain influence behaviours important to remaining abstinent is poorly understood. The current proposal investigates the neural and behavioural effects of drug dependence on cognitive control - responsible for impulse control and decision making - previously implicated in drug dependence.
Improving Online Mental Health Programs: Tailored Assessment Meets Tailored Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,065.00
Summary
The proposed research will develop a personalised mental health program designed to address multiple mental health problems: major depression, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, and suicidality. The program will increase efficiency and user engagement by tailoring content based on individual needs, context and preferences. Ongoing monitoring using new methods of assessment will allow a responsive and flexible approach to care.
Technology And Innovation In The Delivery Of Efficient, Effective Treatments For Comorbid Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,140.00
Summary
Treatment for co-occurring depression and alcohol/other drug use is difficult to access, due to a range of individual and service-level problems. This proposal will build on significant Australian research into psychological treatments for co-occurring problems, by developing and determining the most beneficial, flexible, cost effective models of treatment for these increasingly prevalent problems, regardless of location and ability to access treatment services.
The Hunt For New-generation Lipopeptide Antibiotics Targeting Gram-negative ‘Superbugs’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,477.00
Summary
The dry antibiotic discovery and development pipeline, together with the increasing incidence of bacterial resistance in the clinic has been dubbed ‘the perfect storm’. This project involves the design, synthesis and preclinical evaluation of a new generation of polymyxin-like lipopeptides that have low nephrotoxicity and specifically target polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative ‘superbugs’.