Research aimed at keeping people out of hospital and improving long-term community health outcomes in the state's North-West has been given a major boost.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
UTAS health researchers have been granted $2.4 million in federal funding, to help address two of the biggest global social and health issues - dementia and increasing rates of obesity.
Made possible by the federal government's Medical Research Future Fund, project co-lead James Vickers, of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, said Tasmania's rural and regional communities continued to have the highest rates of chronic illness.
"The project will focus on the North-West and promote self-management of factors related to chronic illness and complex disorders, which in the long run will reduce avoidable hospital visits," Professor Vickers said.
"North-West Tasmania is an ideal 'test bed' to develop preventative health strategies that are relevant and scalable to other Australian rural and regional communities."
Focusing on dementia, the project aims to increase education around modifiable risks, through participation in the Wicking Centre's Preventing Dementia massive open online course.
While Tasmania's ageing population is expected to lead to a substantial increase in the number of people living with dementia, Professor Vickers said some risk factors could be managed.
"Age is the most substantial risk factor for dementia, and Tasmania is the 'oldest' state or territory in Australia, with about one-fifth of the population over the age of 65," he said.
"But it is increasingly recognised that there are also several potentially modifiable factors, including maintaining good vascular health and mental stimulation, that can affect risk of dementia."
The project's obesity component will be led by UTAS school of health sciences researcher and Professor Andrew Hills.
Professor Hills said the project would target "critical" age periods including preconception and pregnancy, infancy and childhood.
"Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the Tasmanian context with disproportionate levels in the North and North-West," Professor Hills said.
"Obesity during the growing years has the potential to affect health, educational attainment and quality of life.
"This work will involve a wide range of health professionals in various settings."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
