Understanding And Overcoming Cardiovascular And Diabetes Inequalities In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes of all Australians. The reasons for this large disparity is not yet fully understood. I propose to investigate the patterns, causes, complications and links between heart disease and diabetes in Indigenous populations to identify better ways of managing and preventing chronic disease in high risk communities.
Understanding The Risk Factors And Burden Of Heart Disease And Stroke For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
Heart disease and stroke is the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and accounts for over one quarter in the life expectancy gap. A recent survey found that 59% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women live with heart disease or stroke. This PhD seeks to understand the risks of, and hospitalisation and mortality from heart disease and stroke in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The project is guided by a women’s Advisory Group.
Developing An Evidence-based Intervention And Tools To Assess And Predict Risk, Protective And Promotive Factors Of Psychosocial Resilience For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Adolescents: A Mixed Methods Program Of Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Developed with Indigenous students and service providers, the research will maximise opportunities for Indigenous adolescents to engage in productive lives and meaningful futures by supporting their healthy psychosocial functioning. It will produce an evidence-based intervention and tools to assess and predict risk, protective and promotive factors of psychosocial resilience for students who face cumulative stressors in their transitions from remote communities to boarding schools.
Health Outcomes Monitoring And Evaluation: Learning About Activity, Nutrition, Diet And Social Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,486,989.00
Summary
Diabetes, Heart and Kidney disease occur in epidemic proportions among Indigenous Australians. Of particular concerns is the early age of onset of conditions that are to disease of older adulthood in the broader Australian community. While these chronic diseases are known to cause premature death and suffering in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, there are gaps in our knowledge. For example, we know very little about how these conditionsdevelop over time in different populations ....Diabetes, Heart and Kidney disease occur in epidemic proportions among Indigenous Australians. Of particular concerns is the early age of onset of conditions that are to disease of older adulthood in the broader Australian community. While these chronic diseases are known to cause premature death and suffering in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, there are gaps in our knowledge. For example, we know very little about how these conditionsdevelop over time in different populations. Probably the greatest knowledge gap is the area of effective intervention - both to prevent to prevent diabetes, kidney and heart disease in young people, and to treat existing cases effectivly. The main goal of this program is to bring together a multi skilled team of researchers to better understand the development of these chronic disease across the lifespan ( including differences between different populations), and to guuide the development of diet, lifestyle, and clinical interventions. Such interventions need to be simple, effective, acceptable to Indigenous people and able to be sustained over the long term. All interventions will be rigorously evaluated. The results will inform policies in ares such as quality and affordability of the food supply in remote communnities; infrastructure to promote physical activity; and provision of high quality primary health care focussing on early intervention and care of people at risk of chronic disease.Read moreRead less
This CRE is innovative because it brings new Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives into services for Aboriginal people. Led by Aboriginal researchers, the CRE will develop ways to empower Aboriginal people both as research leaders and how they engage with services. It will focus on positive pathways and overcome barriers to successful implementation to produce better health and wellbeing for all Aboriginal people.
Identifying Social Pathways To Enhanced Life Outcomes In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
This fellowship broadly aims to elucidate the social pathways to good and poor physical and mental health outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia. This will identify the most salient social factors that drive ill health, disease and mortality, and improve population health strategies that aim to prevent poor health outcomes in early life. In doing so, I hope to support policies that can increase the pace of change toward health equity in Australia.
Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study: From Childhood To Adulthood.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,212.00
Summary
Aboriginal peoples have poor health at both ends of their life span. There are more low birth weight babies at the beginning and more kidney, heart disease and diabetes at the end of the life spectrum. The Aboriginal Birth Cohort study aims to examine the effect of early life events (such as low birth weight) on the risk of developing chronic disease in later life with a view to early intervention. The babies of the study were last seen at 11 years and are now being seen again near their 18th bi ....Aboriginal peoples have poor health at both ends of their life span. There are more low birth weight babies at the beginning and more kidney, heart disease and diabetes at the end of the life spectrum. The Aboriginal Birth Cohort study aims to examine the effect of early life events (such as low birth weight) on the risk of developing chronic disease in later life with a view to early intervention. The babies of the study were last seen at 11 years and are now being seen again near their 18th birthday. Data available are weight, length and gestational age of these babies at birth, the health and lifestyle of their mothers during pregnancy and the children's growth and health. By 11 years of age, the low birth babies still remained shorter and thinner than their peers who were normal size at birth, but importantly, markers of chronic disease were not higher in these children. The current round of investigation, in addition to the tests done before, now includes non-invasive markers of heart disease, such as heart rate variability, measures of arterial stiffness and the thickness of carotid intima media (lining) and a dental examination looking at both teeth and gums. For the first time, the study will look beyond the physical to examine the psychological wellbeing of these young adults using a specially designed questionnaire (Strong souls). Little is known about this age group because they are relatively healthy and do not present to clinics for treatment. The continuing life course study of this cohort, forming the oldest and largest birth cohort of any indigenous population in the world, will help us understand the relationships between early life and the sequential events that lead to chronic adult disease. This will help determine the most effective time for intervention programmes, and will influence public health planning and policy directed towards the improvement of the health of Aboriginal peoples.Read moreRead less