STEP: Improving The Evaluation And Use Of Tests For Screening, Diagnosis And Monitoring In Healthcare.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,566,865.00
Summary
Medical tests - for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring - are often poorly evaluated and poorly used. This program, run by an established team with skills in public health, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics and behavioural science, addresses the under-researched issues of whether, when and how to use medical tests. The elements of the program follow the sequence in which testing is often done: for screening (early detection), for diagnosis on which to base treatment decisio ....Medical tests - for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring - are often poorly evaluated and poorly used. This program, run by an established team with skills in public health, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics and behavioural science, addresses the under-researched issues of whether, when and how to use medical tests. The elements of the program follow the sequence in which testing is often done: for screening (early detection), for diagnosis on which to base treatment decisions, and for monitoring the effects of treatment. A common approach throughout is the identification of the benefits and harms of testing and assessing their trade-offs; how benefits weigh up against harms. This research is relevant to all partners in healthcare - consumers, clinicians and policymakers - who currently are being tested or implementing tests without being fully informed about the accuracy and effects of these tests.Read moreRead less
The lymphocyte plays a vital role in our immune defence. When lymphocytes encounter a foreign invader, such as a virus, they make a series of decisions that influence the strength, type, and longevity of the immunity created. This program aims to understand how lymphocytes make decisions at the molecular level that affect cell and whole of system level behaviour. We aim to improve vaccines and understand diseases such as allergy, lupus, arthritis and leukaemia to develop novel therapies.
New Interventions To Control Sexually Transmitted Infections And Their Consequences
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,807,896.00
Summary
Sexually transmitted infections are important causes of illness and death in Australia and globally. Populations particularly affected in Australia include young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and homosexual men. We have established a highly successful collaboration between two leading centres, that will discover new information about the biology of infection, and assess new clinical strategies for preventing and treating these infections and their consequences