Estimating And Alleviating The Impacts Of Age-Related Sensory Decline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,767.00
Summary
Sensory loss and dementia disproportionately affect older adults, often co-occur, and are the two leading contributors to disability burden among older Australians. This research will investigate the consequences that hearing and vision loss have for older adult health and wellbeing, informing strategies to reduce the disability burden of age-related sensory loss. These impacts include cognitive decline and dementia, mental health, quality of life, disability and independent living.
Clinical Review Of A Cohort Aged 22-33 Years Conceived Using Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$946,454.00
Summary
In a recent study, using telephone-interviews, we compared the health and wellbeing of 547 singleton young adults born following assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with 549 matched controls. Reviewing their health when they are 22-33 years is possible because of their ongoing interest. We have a protocol in place to measure their cardiac and respiratory function and other aspects of growth and development. Our findings will fill a major knowledge gap about the longer term safety of ART.
Mental Health Across Generations: Pre-and Post Conception Predicators Of Early Life Risks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,231.00
Summary
In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity. People affected by mental health problems often have high levels of morbidity and mortality, experiencing poorer general health and higher rates of death f ....In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity. People affected by mental health problems often have high levels of morbidity and mortality, experiencing poorer general health and higher rates of death from a range of causes, including suicide. These conditions are significant in terms of prevalence and disease burden, and have far-reaching impacts for families, carers and others in the community. Mental health problems commonly cluster in families. However, few studies have previously been able to investigate the range of ways in which mental disorders may pass from one generation to another. Further, evidence suggests that influences that arise prior to conception may have major effects on early life risks such as development in utero, birth outcomes and early maternal infant bonding. Mental Health across Generations: Pre- and post-conception predictors of early life risks is a unique study that will examine antenatal maternal mental health and risk behaviours during pregnancy. The study will also examine the links between prior maternal mental health and later birth outcomes, and post natal maternal infant bonding. The risk processes to be tested will include genetic, epigenetic (changes in gene expression), physiological and psycho-social parameters.Read moreRead less
Meeting the needs of older persons in Indonesia. The project aims to identify the needs of older people in rural Indonesia for income, housing, health, daily care and social interaction and the extent to which their needs are met. It also considers the efficacy of existing policy programs and how these might be improved. Today, there are 22 million Indonesians aged 60 years and over, projected to rise to 48 million by 2035. Millions of older people live in rural areas from which younger people h ....Meeting the needs of older persons in Indonesia. The project aims to identify the needs of older people in rural Indonesia for income, housing, health, daily care and social interaction and the extent to which their needs are met. It also considers the efficacy of existing policy programs and how these might be improved. Today, there are 22 million Indonesians aged 60 years and over, projected to rise to 48 million by 2035. Millions of older people live in rural areas from which younger people have moved to the rapidly growing cities. This presents challenges for the traditional family-based aged care system in Indonesia. It is expected that findings from the study will be published in a series of policy papers to be presented in the Indonesian National Development Planning Board.Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Enhancement Of Emergency Disease Management Capability In The Queensland Department Of Primary Industries And The Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax Quadricarinatus) Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$11,755.00
Summary
Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. No jurisdiction to date, has conducted a large scale response to eradicate an exotic disease in aquaculture, and thus expertise in these areas is limited. In the absence of real-life emergency events to provide "on-the-job" training, simulation exercises provide a practica ....Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. No jurisdiction to date, has conducted a large scale response to eradicate an exotic disease in aquaculture, and thus expertise in these areas is limited. In the absence of real-life emergency events to provide "on-the-job" training, simulation exercises provide a practical alternative to expose staff to aspects of emergency management.
The need for these exercises can be summarised as follows: 1. Both government and industries have relatively little experience with real emergencies 2. In some jurisdictions, there are no emergency plans extant and there is a lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and departments especially where fisheries are managed separately from terrestrial animal industries. 3. The lack of previous disease incidents has lead to complacency within several industries 4. Lack of experience with emergency management will invariably lead to a delayed response to a disease emergency, and that in turn may lead to a greater spread of the disease, loss of Australia's disease free status and severe impacts on export industries.
All simulation exercises are initiated by requests from clients - both industry and government. Both the QDPI and the redclaw crayfish industry have requested the proposed exercise and actively support this proposal. The proposed exercise has also attracted interest from the NSW Department of Fisheries, the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries, all of whom have requested to send observers to the exercise. Objectives: 1. To examine and test the skills and abilities of the participants in group problem solving and decision making skills. 2. To increase the participants' knowledge of the communication routes to be used in an emergency disease response by working through a scenario which mimics a real emergency situation. 3. To improve the participants' ability to manage tasks by prioritising a number of competing demands during the operational phase of an emergency response. 4. To increase participants' understanding of the operational effects of specific requests to field staff operating at infected premises. 5. To familiarise participants with operating practices on a redclaw crayfish farm and to enhance the identification of methods of disease control applicable to this industry. 6. To identify key issues for future development of emergency management in a range of subjects including planning, communication, staffing and resourcing. Read moreRead less
Understanding The Connections Between Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Culture, Health And Wellbeing To Support Action To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,915,802.00
Summary
Little is known about the inter-relationship of cultural factors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and these relationships have not been quantified. Through a large cohort study, this research will produce data that combines standard health measures with newly developed quantitative measures of cultural factors, supported by data linkage infrastructure. Robust analytical methods will be used to inform policy and program development.
Predicting Renal, Ophthalmic, And Heart Events In The Aboriginal Community – THE PROPHECY Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,574,486.00
Summary
Up to 30% of adult Aboriginal people have diabetes yet our knowledge of the causes and predictors of complications remain incomplete. We have established the PROPHECY Study to assess the levels of complications in Aboriginal people with diabetes; to understand the way that these complications occur, and identify what clinical, social and genetic factors could predict who will get those complications to guide clinical management and prevention.
Otolithic Age Determination Of Mature Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Maccoyii)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Collect otoliths from SBT >130 cm. Determine time & periodicity of otolith band formation, hence seasonal & yearly growth rates. Validate otolith age determination methods developed from juvenile SBT for mature SBT. Age determination method independent of
Direct Otolithic Ageing Of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus Maccoyii (Castlenau), Exploited By The Australian Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Validate CSIRO-developed otolithic ageing techniques. 2. Determine timing & periodicity of otolith check formation, hence growth season at different ages & geographical areas. 3. Method to partition into age classes independent of modal analysis & that derived from growth curves ex tag data
Psychosocial and cognitive outcomes of residential relocation and retirement: The TRAnsitions In Later Life (TRAILL) project. Individual and social issues surrounding older adults' residential relocation and the transition to retirement are increasingly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. A better understanding of the factors that influence psychological well-being and intergenerational relationships during these major life transitions will play an important role in infor ....Psychosocial and cognitive outcomes of residential relocation and retirement: The TRAnsitions In Later Life (TRAILL) project. Individual and social issues surrounding older adults' residential relocation and the transition to retirement are increasingly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. A better understanding of the factors that influence psychological well-being and intergenerational relationships during these major life transitions will play an important role in informing government policy. This project aims to provide national and community benefits through informing policy related to housing and labour force participation, and by informing programs aimed at volunteer recruitment, retention and maximising the quality of the volunteer experience.Read moreRead less