Preventive messages and guidelines to reduce sitting — especially prolonged periods of sitting — have emerged. However, what prolonged sitting should be replaced with, and the feasibility of making real world changes to this behaviour, is unknown. This program of research will provide high quality evidence on the benefits of reducing prolonged sitting time, and the effectiveness and acceptability of achieving sitting reductions in real-world contexts.
Development Of Statistical Methodologies And Application To Clinical Cancer Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Integrating different layers of information coming from the recent ‘-omics’ technologies can help improving the treatment and the prevention of complex diseases. In particular, the identification of molecular markers of different types can be used for better diagnostics and prognosis in cancer and immune diseases. This project will develop innovative statistical solutions to handle and make sense of the vast amount of biological data that are routinely generated in the laboratories.
Building Resilience To Support Healthy Families And Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
This research investigates effects of social adversity on the health of parents and carers and their children. We will examine the effects of adversity on parents’ and carers’ physical and mental health, health behaviours and capacity to provide care for their children, and how in turn children’s health and development may be affected. We will then examine whether designing health services that are responsive to families specific needs and strengths may help to promote health and resilience.
Genes, Biology And Environment In The Development Of Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,910.00
Summary
Substance use and mental health disorders are major public health problems which cause long-term disabilities, poor health and early mortality. Addressing these problems requires a better understanding of the genetic, biological and environmental factors leading to these disorders. This research program represents a unique opportunity to increase our knowledge of the origins and mechanisms behind these disorders and significantly contribute to improved substance use and mental health prevention ....Substance use and mental health disorders are major public health problems which cause long-term disabilities, poor health and early mortality. Addressing these problems requires a better understanding of the genetic, biological and environmental factors leading to these disorders. This research program represents a unique opportunity to increase our knowledge of the origins and mechanisms behind these disorders and significantly contribute to improved substance use and mental health prevention policies and programs.Read moreRead less
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.
Developing Better Models Of Outcome For Psychotic Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,695.00
Summary
Research on psychosis has been focused on developing treatments for hallucinations and delusions. However, ‘outcome’ is multifaceted and must embrace functioning, and quality of life. A/Prof Cotton will develop models will comprehensively capture ‘whole person’ outcomes for people who have experienced psychosis. Understanding how the disease impacts on the individual will enable better service planning, and refinement and development of treatments for patients with psychosis.
Monitoring And Improving The Health Of Ex-prisoners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
More than 50,000 people are released from prison in Australia each year. Ex-prisoners experience high rates of chronic disease, social disadvantage, mental illness, drug dependence and premature death, yet we know almost nothing about how to improve their health outcomes. This program of research will identify key health issues for ex-prisoners and generate evidence-based responses, simultaneously improving health and reducing reoffending among this highly marginalised group.
Understanding, Detecting, Monitoring And Treating Brain Dysfunctions Due To Chronic Immune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,219.00
Summary
The role of immune burdens on the brain of middle-aged persons is not well understood. For example the combined brain effects of HIV and cardio-vascular diseases are unknown. Our research is about better understanding those processes using advanced neuropsychology and brain imaging methods. It is also about developing new instruments to detect problems as early as possible, to monitor them accurately and to better treat them in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
What Can Parents Do To Prevent Mental Health Problems In Their Teenage Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,905.00
Summary
Research shows that there are things parents can do to prevent depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse problems in their teenage child, but many parents do not know what specific actions they can take. Through the work of this fellowship, I propose to increase our understanding of how specific parenting behaviours can influence young people's risk of developing depression and anxiety problems. I will also translate research evidence into specific parenting strategies parents can use to protect th ....Research shows that there are things parents can do to prevent depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse problems in their teenage child, but many parents do not know what specific actions they can take. Through the work of this fellowship, I propose to increase our understanding of how specific parenting behaviours can influence young people's risk of developing depression and anxiety problems. I will also translate research evidence into specific parenting strategies parents can use to protect their child from these problems.Read moreRead less