Increasing Engagement With Online Psychosocial Programs To Improve Mental Health In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,317.00
Summary
Online therapy programs have a strong evidence base in reducing mental health symptoms. However, take-up of these programs in the community is limited, and low adherence to these programs limits their impact. This project is a randomised controlled trial testing a novel approach to increasing uptake and adherence to psychosocial online programs, involving acceptance facilitation. Results will inform the dissemination of evidence-based psychosocial programs for a range of health conditions.
Novel Serological Tools To Aid Malaria Elimination In The Asia-Pacific
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,362,749.00
Summary
In 2014 Asia-Pacific leaders pledged a malaria free Asia-Pacific by 2030. We will contribute to this goal by developing novel antibody detection tests that can identify people with current and recent past infections. We will then evaluate the utility of these tests both in mass screening and treatment programs and for the rapid delineation of areas where transmission persists from those where it has been eliminated. This will address two major roadblocks to malaria elimination in our region.
School Versus Community-based Albendazole Deworming For Control Of Soil Transmitted Helminths In School-age Children In The Philippines – A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,336,408.00
Summary
Intestinal parasites are a global health problem. The World Health Organization recommends regular distribution of deworming drugs, targeting school aged children. This is effective for the children receiving the drugs but does not have an impact in the wider community. We aim to determine the best strategy for delivery of deworming drugs, to achieve the maximum benefit both for children and wider community, by directly comparing the benefits of a school-targeted vs a community-mass approach.
Community Action For Smoking Cessation In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,162,650.00
Summary
Smoking rates halved in Australia over the past 30 years to below 20% in 2004. However, Indigenous Australians continued to smoke at more than double this rate. In remote Aboriginal communities in the NT's 'Top End', over two-thirds of the population smoke. Smoking tobacco causes the greatest burden of disease for Australians generally. For Indigenous Australians, it is the single most important reversible risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. With no sign of reduction in smoking le ....Smoking rates halved in Australia over the past 30 years to below 20% in 2004. However, Indigenous Australians continued to smoke at more than double this rate. In remote Aboriginal communities in the NT's 'Top End', over two-thirds of the population smoke. Smoking tobacco causes the greatest burden of disease for Australians generally. For Indigenous Australians, it is the single most important reversible risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. With no sign of reduction in smoking levels, Indigenous Australians remain at greater risk of hospitalisations or death from many tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking in Australia was reduced through individually-oriented measures, public education and supply control. These strategies have either not been tried or have not been adequately studied in Aboriginal communities. Effective interventions could provide major health gains for Aboriginal Australians and reduce health costs. The intervention we propose will be based on an agreement whereby four remote communities in the 'Top End' will make a pact with the researchers to jointly try to reduce tobacco smoking using community-wide mobilisation, training and education. The intervention with have multiple components. We will not evaluate each component separately. The effect of the whole intervention on smoking will be assessed. Tobacco sales for the whole community in these small isolated localities, a sensitive and reliable measure, should decline if the intervention works. Tobacco smokers will be assessed before the intervention in each community and followed up twice to assess quit rates. Quit rates should go up. Five years are needed for the study because smoking behaviour change does not happen quickly or at peoples' first attempt. With staggered implementation of the intervention, i.e. not starting in all communities at once, reductions in smoking in more than one community will make us confident that the intervention worked.Read moreRead less
Autism is characterised by deficits in social behaviour and communication, and is a cause of major lifelong disability. A novel intervention, oxytocin nasal spray, enhances social cognition and behaviour in humans, including in those with autism spectrum disorders. This project will determine whether oxytocin, taken twice daily over 8 weeks, improves social communication and interaction skills in toddlers with autism. This project represents a crucial step in developing an early intervention tre ....Autism is characterised by deficits in social behaviour and communication, and is a cause of major lifelong disability. A novel intervention, oxytocin nasal spray, enhances social cognition and behaviour in humans, including in those with autism spectrum disorders. This project will determine whether oxytocin, taken twice daily over 8 weeks, improves social communication and interaction skills in toddlers with autism. This project represents a crucial step in developing an early intervention treatment for autism.Read moreRead less
CONSUMPTION OF NITRATE-RICH VEGETABLES TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,875.00
Summary
Consumption of plant food-rich diets lowers blood pressure. However, the most important components of these diets for blood pressure lowering have not been clearly defined. An intervention study in people with elevated blood pressure will be conducted to determine if increased consumption vegetables results in lower blood pressure, and if focused advice to consume nitrate-rich vegetables (mainly green leafy vegetables) will result in greater benefit on blood pressure.
Characteristics Of Intervention Research That Progresses To 'real-world' Implementation”
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,851.00
Summary
Governments, health agencies and the public are interested in knowing whether publicly funded research “makes a difference” . This project examines 8 years of NHMRC funded research on clinical and community based interventions to change health to better understand understand factors that best promote effective research being later implemented to benefit the community. It will assist planning to facilitate more useful research being funded.
Enhanced Methods Of Communicating Correct Use Of Child Car Restraints: A Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,599.00
Summary
Working with our associate investigators from the Australian and European child restraint industry, we will conduct a controlled trial of enhanced methods of communicating correct use of child car restraints with product information supplied at the point of sale.
A RCT Of Depression Prevention In Adolescents: The Future Proofing Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,183,738.00
Summary
Prevention is better than cure. Adolescence is when 50% of mental health problems emerge. We know we can prevent depression in 22% of young people at risk. However, the major problem is providing these prevention interventions easily and universally. Using 20,000 young people, this research aims to discover how to use smartphones to deliver prevention interventions in the real world, to improve prevention rates, and to determine the triggers associated with the onset of mental health problems.
Physical Activity For Young People With Depression: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial To Test The Effectiveness Of Incorporating A Brief Intervention Into Routine Clinical Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,678,739.00
Summary
Depression and physical activity in young people are linked: lack of physical activity is a risk-factor for depression and physical activity can improve symptoms of depression. Physical activity is not routinely provided as an intervention, despite its potential to improve immediate treatment outcomes and prevent poor physical health. This study will evaluate an intervention that aims to include a brief physical activity intervention in routine clinical care for young people with depression.