Background Children with disabilities and medical conditions often are not able to travel in regular child restraint systems. Specialty harnesses and vests have been designed in response to motor vehicle transport needs for children with medical conditions, however, Australian standards do not cater for the harnesses and vests as most are manufactured overseas and there is a lack of research regarding their design, construction, and safety performance. Aims The study aims to understand access to, and the use of specialty harnesses and vests used by children with disabilities and medical conditions when travelling in motor vehicles in Australia and New Zealand. The results will assist in the development of guidance and standards for the adoption and use of harnesses and vests in Australia and New Zealand. Eligibility Criteria The research study is looking to recruit people who meet the following criteria: Are you aged 18 years or over? Are you the parent or carer of a child

Background Evidence suggests women and men experience medical care differently after they develop cardiovascular disease (CVD).  For example, women attending primary health care in Australia are less likely to have their risk factors for CVD measured. For those at high risk of CVD, young women are frequently less likely to receive appropriate treatment. Information on whether women (or men) are being undertreated in other aspects of CVD management in Australia is lacking. Aims To identify sex disparities in CVD care and outcomes. To explore how these vary across key population subgroups, including age, social class and, where possible, ethnicity. Method Together with the UNSW Centre for Big Data Research in Health, analyse ‘Big Data’ for a whole-of-population cohort of over 100,000 women and men admitted to hospital with incident CVD. Conduct analysis of sex and gender differences in treatment after stroke, using a linked administrative dataset, which includes all

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in women, but women are less likely to have a heart health check than a mammogram. Women at risk of cardiovascular disease are often unaware of their risk. Breast arterial calcification (BAC) identified on a mammogram is a strong predictor of subsequent cardiovascular disease. Aims To use routine mammograms to predict the risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event in women Method This study uses data provided from Lifepool, a cohort of 54,000 women across Australia. All women within this cohort have completed a comprehensive baseline health survey and 99.9% have consented to have their Lifepool information linked to routinely collected health administrative datasets. Potential Impact Creating a CVD risk algorithm using routine mammograms will allow mammography to be used as a ‘2 for 1’ screening test in women, potentially identifying more women at risk. Fast Facts 1.4 million Australian

Background There is a long-standing assumption that medicine, and the research underpinning medical interventions, is sex and gender neutral, however there is a growing body of evidence describing sex and gender differences in disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and health outcomes. Despite this, much research continues to be done without taking sex and gender into account, leading to gaps in the evidence base informing our health care policy and practice Aims To address gaps in the collection, analysis and reporting of sex and gender in health and medical research in Australia. To build capacity among researchers, scientists and clinicians, and drive change in this area Method The project involves three phases: Surveys, interviews, web-based searches; Development and evaluation of policy frameworks and training materials; and Health economic analysis. Potential Impact Each stakeholder within the health and medical research sector in Australia encourages

Background Women are disproportionately underrepresented in stroke trials relative to the burden of disease in the population. While women and men have a similar lifetime risk of stroke (one-in-four), women are more disabled, have worse quality of life, and require more supportive care. One way to address disparities in such outcomes is to ensure sufficient representation of women in stroke clinical trials, thereby increasing the likelihood that results are generalisable to women in the population. Clear guidance and effective implementation strategies are required to improve the inclusion of women in clinical trials. Aim To provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of strategies to improve recruitment and retention of women in stroke trials. Method Assess screening logs from two completed and one ongoing international trial. Conduct a survey and focus group discussion with stroke survivors to explore barriers and facilitators of participation in stroke trials. Develop

Background Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), once thought to be fully reversed after pregnancy, is now a firmly established independent risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. Given the high levels of risk, low-cost and scalable pharmacological preventive approaches may prove an effective tool for prevention of GDM. While there is strong rationale for preventive strategies focused on behavioural modification in women with prior GDM, the early years after pregnancy present unique challenges to mothers. Aims This study will: Measure prevalence and identify predictors of persisting abnormal blood sugar levels (dysglycaemia) among women with recent GDM. Identify women’s views and the views of their healthcare providers on the long-term risks of T2DM. Examine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of preventive drug therapies, in addition to lifestyle interventions, among this population. Method One

Background Most people in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India cannot access quality healthcare. A paucity of healthcare workers, particularly specialist physicians, is one of the main reasons. Task-sharing approaches in LMICs were recently reviewed and found to be a viable option to improve disease outcomes while also leading to capacity building and cost savings. Epilepsy, one of the commonest neurological disorders, affects 50 million people worldwide, of whom, a fifth live in India. It accounts for 14 million disability-adjusted life years and 1,26,000 deaths worldwide each year. The treatment gap is high, almost 50-80% in India. A professional resource gap is one of the important reasons for the treatment gap. There is a lack of specialists to manage epilepsy across the country. Our previous study points towards an unmet need for a comprehensive approach towards epilepsy care in the community, which should essentially include capacity building among care providers, raising commu

BackgroundThe Scheduled Tribe (ST) population is a marginalised community in India and has greater vulnerability to mental health issues for multiple reasons, including the impact of rapid social changes altering their lifestyles, beliefs and community living; the strain of acculturation when moving to urban spaces; and the use of alcohol and other substances.Our pilot study among ST communities in Andra Pradesh, where they constitute about 7% of the population, found a lack of mental health awareness and limited mental health care facilities.A more sustainable model involving the community and empowering members to act as change agents to enhance mental health facilities is needed to bring about sustainable improvements in mental health and wellbeing. AimsTo address selected social determinants of mental health to promote mental health and well-being among ST communities over three years by building the capacities of community members to act as lay counsellors and strengthening the capacity of the publi

Background Racism has been clearly identified as a determinant of health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to experience racism and discrimination within the Australian healthcare system. Racism is causing dire health consequences and inhibiting access to quality and safe healthcare services.  Aims To comprehensively understand and address the complex dynamics of racism, bias and colonisation in reforming hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families. Methods Decolonise existing tools such as the Readiness to Change Assessment (RCTA) and Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework. Evaluate health organisations’ readiness to change beliefs, attitudes and processes that maintain inequity. Undertake Aboriginal patient journey mapping and review governance structures, workforce development, current quality indicators and processes f

Every year, an estimated 350,000 children and adolescents are killed in road traffic crashes (RTCs) or by the effects of urban outdoor air pollution, to which road traffic is a significant contributor. RTCs are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents worldwide but those in resource-limited settings are disproportionately affected with 93% of child road traffic deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to the deaths, injuries and disabilities caused by road collisions, children in urban areas often also sustain insidious damage to their developing lungs and brains by breathing traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP). TRAP exposure can result in growth stunting, delays in cognitive development  and chronic respiratory problems. Due to the many overlapping causal factors linking road safety and personal air pollution exposure, there are significant opportunities for complementary mitigation measures to drive improvements in child health, safety, and wellbeing. In