Goodness-of-fit Testing Of Log-link Models For Categorical Outcome Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,863.00
Summary
Information about the health consequences of exposure to causal factors is obtained from mathematical models of observed data. Incorrect inferences are possible if the model does not adequately represent the data. Relative risk models are recommended for observations over time on a cohort of subjects, but it is not known how best to assess the adequacy of such models. This project will assess the performance of summary measures of goodness-of-fit when applied to relative risk models.
Design And Analysis Of Interrupted Time Series Studies In Health Care Research: Resolution Of Methodological Issues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,125.00
Summary
An interrupted time series (ITS) study involves a population observed on multiple occasions before and after the implementation of an intervention program. However, methods for statistical analysis and designing such studies have not been well developed and many statistical analyses of such studies are flawed. This proposal will investigate appropriate methods for design and analysis, and develop guidelines and software for its implementation by health researchers.
Is Infection An Acute Trigger For Preeclampsia? A Case-crossover Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,761.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a multisystem hypertensive disease affecting up to 10% of pregnancies. It puts both mother and baby at increased risk of major illness and death. The cause is unknown but inflammation appears to play a key role. We will use an innovative design to determine whether recent maternal infection triggers the onset of preeclampsia. If preeclampsia is associated with infection, preventative strategies can be developed.
An Oral Health Literacy Intervention Among Rural Indigenous Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$568,566.00
Summary
The relationship between oral health literacy and positive oral health literacy-related outcomes, both of which are low among the Indigenous Australian population, is established. This study seeks to determine if implementation of a functional, context-specific oral health literacy intervention leads to improved oral health literacy-related outcomes among rural-dwelling Indigenous adults. There may be benefit in applying this model to other areas of Indigenous health research.
Methods For Evaluating The Therapeutic Impact Of Diagnostic Tests - Development Of Guidelines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,325.00
Summary
New diagnostic tests are frequently adopted in clinical practice without any evidence that they improve patient outcomes. This project will produce the first guidelines about the role and optimal design of studies assessing the impact of a new test on therapeutic decisions for conclusions about its clinical value. This work will inform researchers and clinicians to improve evidence-based diagnostic practice and promote the more efficient use of limited health care resources.
Exploring The Contributions Of Individual-, Area- And Service- Level Factors To Indigenous Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,919.00
Summary
We will use linked hospital and death data, and multilevel models, to estimate the contributions of individual-, area- and service-level factors to inequalities in the outcomes of hospital care between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Factors investigated will include socioeconomic status, remoteness, access to primary care services, and hospital characteristics. Conditions explored will include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
Does Place Of Birth Influence A Healthy Start To Life?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,050.00
Summary
There are over 255,000 births in Australia each year and a major challenge in terms of planning and provision is to ensure that these babies are born in hospitals with the appropriate facilities to care for them. International studies suggest that transferring the mother before birth results in better infant outcomes than transferring the baby after birth. In Australia births occur in a range of hospitals, from small rural hospitals to tertiary obstetric and neonatal centres. However, few Austra ....There are over 255,000 births in Australia each year and a major challenge in terms of planning and provision is to ensure that these babies are born in hospitals with the appropriate facilities to care for them. International studies suggest that transferring the mother before birth results in better infant outcomes than transferring the baby after birth. In Australia births occur in a range of hospitals, from small rural hospitals to tertiary obstetric and neonatal centres. However, few Australian studies have looked at infant outcomes based on place of birth. This study will use existing population health data sets to evaluate the provision of care prior to and at birth and the impact it has on infant outcomes up to one year of age. It will also describe for the first time the hospital care utilisation associated with birth and infant health. Information will be obtained from routinely-collected birth, death and birth defect registers, and hospital, midwives and perinatal death review data. Variations in health outcomes for babies may be due to factors that occur before or during pregnancy, or may be due to differences in the care provided at birth. We need to take account of maternal factors to comprehensively assess the role of level of care at birth. We will use statistical techniques to 'predict' infant health outcomes and see if differences between places of birth are real or not. If variations are explained by different levels of care then there is enormous potential for improvement in the provision of pregnancy and newborn services. We will also compare the benefits and consequences of maternal versus neonatal transfer, and assess hospital costs. The results of this study could be applied to direct health services policy and organisational changes to improve pregnancy care and optimise infant outcomes for a healthy start to life.Read moreRead less
Identifying Risk For Second And Subsequent Pregnancies: A Longitudinal Record Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,129.00
Summary
Interventions (eg. induction of labour) or conditions (eg bleeding) in one pregnancy may affect outcomes in the next pregnancy (eg. risk of complications). These relationships are under-investigated. Using population data on over 194,000 women we can look at repeat pregnancies experienced by individual women. We will use this data to investigate whether interventions in one pregnancy affect subsequent birth outcomes (for mother or baby) and whether particular conditions are likely to recur.
Novel Statistical Methods For The Analysis Of Meausred Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors In Twin Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,314.00
Summary
Studies on twins are an important way to determine whether the risk of disease is likely to be influenced by genetic factors but have traditionally focussed on unmeasured factors. New epidemiological studies measure thousands of genetic variants on many participants. This project will extend methods for analysing data within and between twin pairs to determine whether risk factors are likely to be causal and therefore should be the subject of further designed studies based on intervention.