Developing a simulation model to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction and treatment.
Funded by NHMRC in conjunction with the University of Melbourne and the Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Professor McDermott and her team from the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention (CCDP) are building a simulation model to get better measures of risk of heart disease and premature death.
This research is based on a large linked cohort of 2800 Indigenous adults from north Queensland remote communities, which looks at reasons for the excess cardiovascular risk in this group. By developing a better understanding of the risks of chronic disease, AITHM research will enable health systems to better target workforce capacity to tackle the problem of chronic disease at its roots.
Designing culturally-based physical activity interventions to prevent obesity in Indigenous populations.
With support from the North Queensland Health Foundation (NQHF) and Apunipima Health Council, researchers are evaluating a culturally tailored eight week physical activity intervention among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in rural communities.
Overall levels of physical activity and step counts, metabolic markers, perceived quality of life and other health behaviours and outcomes are measured before, immediately, and one week after the intervention.
Economic evaluation of Indigenous health worker management of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in north Queensland
Diabetes and its complications pose a significant burden on health care systems. Indigenous Australians record a disproportionately high level of diabetes, are more likely to develop diabetes at a younger age, have higher rates of hospitalisation, and mortality rates from the disease are seven times higher than among non-Indigenous Australians. AITHM research is examining novel approaches to build capacity within health systems to address the problem at a community level.
New research published by the CCDP team investigated the economic value of intensive management by Indigenous health workers of Indigenous adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in rural and remote Queensland. It was proposed that providing health workers with close linguistic and cultural links could play an important role in contributing to better health outcomes.
The research investigated the cost of the intervention over an 18 month trial across 12 rural and remote Indigenous communities in north Queensland. It found The Getting Better at Chronic Care trial program, which cost $10K per person, had little impact relative to the cost of the intervention.
The research determined that there needs to be further exploration of approaches to improve chronic disease outcomes amongst this unwell population, including holistic approaches that address the complex psychosocial, pathophysiological and environmental problems in highly disadvantaged populations.
Could worms help in the fight against type 2 diabetes?
Along with developing and strengthening health systems to combat the rampant increase in type 2 diabetes among Indigenous populations, AITHM researchers are also examining new therapeutic approaches to tackle this debilitating disease.
The CCDP team has examined the role worm infections may play in reducing the instance of metabolic syndrome and ultimately type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of three of five medical conditions that can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, all of which place an enormous burden on health systems around the Tropics.
In a bid to find new strategies to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, Professor McDermott’s team has conducted a review of the impact of helminth infections on metabolic outcomes in humans. Research has already established that helminth infection can play a role in modifying autoimmune and allergic diseases. Professor McDermott’s findings suggest infection could also improve metabolic outcomes and prove a step forward in the battle against diabetes.