Epidemiology Of Middle-age BHR: A Prospective Study From Childhood To Middle Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,840.00
Summary
Increased airway reactivity (BHR) in middle-age increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) in old age, which are recognised as a major public health problem. Knowledge on the causes of these conditions is currently limited. This project will improve our understanding of the childhood and adult causes of increased reactivity of the airways in middle-age. Such knowledge will help in identifying preventive strategies for middle age BHR and thereby CRDs in old age.
Melanoma Diagnosis, And The Effect Of Screening On Depth Of Invasion Of Melanoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,961.00
Summary
AIMS This study will assess how melanoma is diagnosed in Queensland, and if improvements can be made. It will assess if skin screening gives earlier diagnosis of some melanomas, and also if it leads to the diagnosis of some thin melanomas which would not progress if left alone. SIGNIFICANCE Melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, with some 1,963 people diagnosed annually with the disease. The outlook for these patients varies dramatically with the depth of invasion of melanoma ....AIMS This study will assess how melanoma is diagnosed in Queensland, and if improvements can be made. It will assess if skin screening gives earlier diagnosis of some melanomas, and also if it leads to the diagnosis of some thin melanomas which would not progress if left alone. SIGNIFICANCE Melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, with some 1,963 people diagnosed annually with the disease. The outlook for these patients varies dramatically with the depth of invasion of melanoma. Melanoma diagnosed and treated when very thin has an excellent long-term outcome, whereas the outcome for deeply invasive melanoma is much less favourable. Improvements to diagnosis are currently our best hope of reducing deaths and serious distress from this disease. This will be the largest study in the world of the process of diagnosis of melanoma: information on how melanoma presents, and the time between presentation and diagnosis will be compared between thin and deeply invasive melanoma. Results may indicate areas for improvement in education or health services. The use of screening, either by individuals themselves or by health professionals, has the potential to achieve early diagnosis. However, there is currently no good information on whether screening is actually effective. This study will assess the impact of self-screening and doctor screening on the depth of invasion of melanoma at presentation, and ultimately on the likelihood of dying from melanoma. The study will also assess the potential impact of screening on the over-diagnosis of lesions which while labeled as melanoma, may in fact be biologically non-progressive. This is an important issue of current concern internationally. This study will be one of only two studies in the world currently addressing this issue. This project is directly relevant to the early detection and optimum management of the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, and will have relevance internationally.Read moreRead less
Reducing The Injury And Disease Burden Attributable To Alcohol: Methodological, Aetiological And Intervention Studies.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,412.00
Summary
The research examines the influence of individual, social and environmental factors on drinking behaviour, and seeks to determine the effectiveness of strategies to prevent alcohol-related harm, with a particular focus on youth drinking. A series of studies is proposed, examining the validity of methods for measuring drinking behaviour; social and environmental factors, and interventions. The findings will have relevance to reducing the burden of alcohol-related injury and disease in Australia.
Assessing The Impact Of Climate Change On The Transmission Of Mosquito-borne Diseases In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,689.00
Summary
Global climate change has potentially serious effects on the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs). Bayesian spatiotemporal models will be developed to explore the underlying mechanisms of the current distribution of MBDs and to forecast future changes in pattern of these diseases. The model will be useful in examining where and when MBDs are likely to occur and how the future MBDs control strategies and prevention efforts need to be applied and strengthened in Australia.
Melanoma is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have developed melanoma at an early age (under 40yrs) and will compare their family history of cancer, skin features, genetic characteristics and various aspects of their previous sun exposure with people who don?t have melanoma. The large number of people involved and the fact that they will be selected at random ....Melanoma is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have developed melanoma at an early age (under 40yrs) and will compare their family history of cancer, skin features, genetic characteristics and various aspects of their previous sun exposure with people who don?t have melanoma. The large number of people involved and the fact that they will be selected at random from the population of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane which have very different melanoma rates, means that the study will be able to clarify what roles genes and environment play in the disease. It is intended to be an international benchmark in this regard, and Australia is the only country in which a study of this scope could be mounted. Potential benefits from this research will be a better understanding of the way sun exposure affects people differently, depending on their genetic makeup, the place of genetic testing in assessing people?s risk of melanoma, particularly if they have relatives with the disease, and way in which skin features like moles should be taken into account in that assessment. Finally, it is likely that better information about the types of genetic susceptibility to melanoma in the population will translate to more effective programs for the prevention of melanoma and for detection of melanomas efficiently at the earliest possible stage.Read moreRead less
Building Australia's Capacity To Study Preventable Causes Of Common Diseases Through Epidemiological Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
This program of work will build Australia's capacity to study the preventable causes of common disease. Researchers will be trained to investigate the impact of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors on disease in large samples of people. The diseases will include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint conditions, some common cancers such as skin and prostate cancer, and diseases affecting the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis.