Understanding The Factors Governing Susceptibility And Outcome In Childhood Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,122.00
Summary
This research seeks to understand why a minority of children are prone to severe and often life-threatening infections and inflammation. It focusses on infections both in preterm infants and in later childhood, which may also be relevant to understanding atherosclerosis. I am also interested in improving the health of recently arrived refugees, by conducting research that allows the development of evidence-based health interventions and developing national policy on refugee health.
Multidisciplinary Translational Research To Address Social Disparities In Osteoporosis: Understanding The Social Context Of Biological Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Osteoporosis (OP) prevalence is greater for disadvantaged groups, as are less healthy lifestyles. Whilst reasons for this social gradient of OP are unknown, some biological phenomena are influenced by lifestyle factors. I will provide novel evidence about biological mechanisms underlying the social gradient of OP (epigenetics), and, using that information, engage disadvantaged communities in multidisciplinary discussions to inform effective public health interventions (community engagement).
Classifying Local Environmental Attributes For Healthier, More Equitable Child Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Theory and evidence suggests rapid physical and social development makes children more sensitive to the impacts of environmental exposures than adults. Paradoxically, children’s environmental health is under-researched. My four-year vision is to support efforts to improve the health of children and to narrow child health inequities by co-producing new evidence that will help advocate for spatially targeted prevention initiatives and public policies in Australia.
REDUCING HARMS FROM SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES REQUIRES INTERVENTIONS DELIVERED AS PROMISED WITH MEASURABLE IMPACTS?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,920.00
Summary
We cannot accurately estimate the occurrence of many diseases and risk factors for remote Indigenous communities where more of the ‘health gap’ is suffered. Interventions targeting substance misuse risk factors have not yet produced the community- and individual-level impacts they were designed to bring about. In this Fellowship, I will improve evaluation methods and measures to produce credible evidence for assessing program implementation and effectiveness in remote communities.
Inequalities In Maternal And Child Health: Understanding Pathways And Setting Directions For Policy And Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,076.00
Summary
Optimising health in the early years has been recognised as critical for lifelong health and wellbeing. My research program will focus on reducing inequalities in maternal and child health among disadvantaged families. I will examine important questions concerning the quality of maternity care Indigenous women receive, and how factors beyond the health system, such as housing, work patterns and neighbourhood resources, contribute to poor maternal and child health amongst disadvantaged families.