Diabetes And Obesity: From Benchtop To Public Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Obesity. Novel factors, not related to food intake or physical activity, will be explored as possible causes of obesity. The obesity paradox, in which overweight is associated with reduced mortality, will be examined. Diabetes treatment. Methods will be developed to predict which is the right drug for each individual patient. A study will test the use of nurse-led clinics. A novel insulin delivery mechanism will be developed. Novel causes and consequences of diabetes will be explored.
Plotting A Course To Tuberculosis Elimination In Our Lifetime
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,768.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s leading infectious killer and more than half of TB cases occur in Australia’s region. I have developed a software program and used it to simulate improved TB control in eight countries across the world. In this fellowship, I will extend this program to allow simulation of TB transmission across multiple countries. This will allow me to compare the effects of TB control programs in Australia and overseas, as well as to re-estimate the global number of TB deaths.
Using Big Data To Reduce Inappropriate Medication Use
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Potentially inappropriate medication use both increases patient harm and wastes considerable health resources. However methods for measuring patterns of use are not well developed nor utilised in policy. This research will measure the scope, variation and burden of potentially inappropriate medication use in Australia. My unique combination of biostatistical, data and policy expertise will enable this research to create new actionable tools for evaluating the Australian healthcare system.
The Association Between Disability Acquisition, Socio-economic Disadvantage And Health: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Trajectories Of Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,539.00
Summary
People with disabilities are more likely to live in disadvantaged circumstances and experience poorer health and wellbeing than people without disabilities. The aim of my research is to contribute a nuanced, causally-robust longitudinal analysis of the relationships between disability, socio-economic disadvantage and health. I will model disability trajectories to characterise the diversity of disability experiences over time, and the determinants and consequences of different trajectories.
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, 1991-2011: Epidemiologic Analysis Of The First 20 Years Of National Infectious Diseases Notifications In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,154.00
Summary
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System contains approximately 4 million records of infectious disease notifications made since 1991. We will use these data to describe trends in notifiable infectious diseases in Australia, determine the impact of interventions such as immunisation, and develop algorithms to identify infectious disease outbreaks as early as possible. This information will be used to help minimise the burden of infectious diseases in Australia in the future.
A Prospective Study Of The Effects Of Early Life Growth On Adult Mammographic Density
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,517.00
Summary
It is now well-known that a woman's breast density, as measured by a breast scan, is a predictor of her future risk of breast cancer. It is also known that women who are heavier as babies and grow rapidly before age 7 are more likely to develop breast cancer in adult life. The effects were strongest in women who had early puberty. It has been suggested that there are critical points in early life growth that contribute to higher breast density in middle-age. Population-based surveys with early l ....It is now well-known that a woman's breast density, as measured by a breast scan, is a predictor of her future risk of breast cancer. It is also known that women who are heavier as babies and grow rapidly before age 7 are more likely to develop breast cancer in adult life. The effects were strongest in women who had early puberty. It has been suggested that there are critical points in early life growth that contribute to higher breast density in middle-age. Population-based surveys with early life growth data on large numbers of women that span birth to adulthood are necessary to estimate accurately the association between early life growth and breast density in middle age. Few such studies exist; Tasmanian Asthma Study is one of them. In 1968, all 4,194 female Tasmanian school children born in 1961 were surveyed and height and weight measured. Subsequently, weight and height measurements were carried out on samples of this cohort. We are currently conducting the 37-year follow-up of the TAS and to date have traced 87% and achieved a response rate of 77% (2,850) for a postal survey. This included self-reported weight and height measurements and detailed information reproductive history and the use of hormones. Weight, height and waist to hip ratio are currently measured on 600 of these respondents. We have access to school medical records of the full cohort, which have weight and height data measured at school medical inspections throughout school years, and maternal records so far for half of the total cohort, which have information on birth weight and length, and period of gestation. Hence, TAS now provides an ideal opportunity, unique within Australia, to investigate prospectively the association between early life growth and mammographic density in middle-age women. We will measure breast density in these women now they are in their late 40s, using the Australian Mammographic Density Research Facility at The University of Melbourne.Read moreRead less
REDucing Delays In Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: The REDDISH Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,022.00
Summary
Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a rare form of stroke that kills at least 30% of sufferers within 1 month. Outcome can be improved through quickly receiving medical care but many people do not and this likely contributes to the poor outcomes. The REDucing Delays In Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (REDDISH) study will look at cases of aSAH across Tasmanian and Victoria so that we can understand the factors that contribute to delays in treatment and ultimately improve outcomes.
Outcomes After Serious Injury: What Is The Recovery Trajectory And How Do The Priorities For Treatment And Disability Services Change Over Time?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,630.00
Summary
Traumatic injury is a significant contributor to global disease burden, with serious injury commonly resulting in disability and profound costs to the individual, family and society. This population-based project will describe the long term consequences of injury and recovery experiences of more than 2500 seriously injured patients. This longitudinal study will use quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive overview of patient outcomes and experiences in the first 5-years after ....Traumatic injury is a significant contributor to global disease burden, with serious injury commonly resulting in disability and profound costs to the individual, family and society. This population-based project will describe the long term consequences of injury and recovery experiences of more than 2500 seriously injured patients. This longitudinal study will use quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive overview of patient outcomes and experiences in the first 5-years after injury.Read moreRead less