A diverse range of La Trobe University research projects will be presented at the Rural Health School's annual conference on 25-26 July in Bendigo. The presenters are available to provide analysis and expertise on their respective topics, such as DNA damage, dry toothbrushing and improving access to perinatal health services.
Rural health workforce
Professor Jane Mills, Dean of La Trobe's Rural Health School, is available to speak on the Nursing Demand and Supply Report that was released by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care earlier this month.
https://hwd.health.gov.au/supply-and-demand/nursing-supply-demand-study.html
Main report finding:
- The new projected shortage number is an undersupply of 70,707 nurses by 2035, which equates to a 79,473 head count as the average female nurse works 0.8 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) and average male nurse is 1 FTE.
Contact:
E: jane.mills@latrobe.edu.au
M: 0409 762 200
Developing a dry toothbrushing pilot program for early childhood settings in the Loddon Mallee
Research summary:
The program aims to introduce a dry toothbrushing initiative in early childhood settings, which is particularly beneficial in areas lacking fluoridated water and adequate dental access.
The program was developed by Associate Professor Virginia Dickson-Swift in conjunction with the state Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV). It's a pilot to see if the program is feasible in the early childhood setting, with support from Shine Bright.
Main talking points:
- Partnership with DFFH is about ensuring vulnerable children who are at high risk for dental caries get access to prevention programs.
- Dry toothbrushing programs are proven to be effective in schools and settings where water is limited. They enhance fluoride toothpaste efficacy by preventing rinsing, which is crucial for tooth protection and remineralisation, especially in non-fluoridated water areas.
- The program is about habit building over technique. It integrates oral health into early childhood education, fostering a proactive approach to children's dental care.
- Dry toothbrushing programs in the UK and other countries have been pivotal to oral health promotion.
- There’s strong interest from 17 Shine Bright centres, which highlights the initiative's relevance.
- The program rollout begins in a couple of weeks. The research team will support the evaluation of the program's feasibility.
Presenter: Associate Professor Virginia Dickson-Swift, Principal Research Fellow at the Violet Vines Marshman Centre.
Contact:
E: v.dickson-swift@latrobe.edu.au
M: 0409 230 013
Single molecule super-resolution imaging of deleterious DNA damage
Research summary:
The research specialises in building powerful, bespoke microscopes that allow us to look inside cells and understand the very start of diseases and how our bodies try to fight them.
This is done through a combination of chemistry, high-powered lasers and immortalised cell specimens to effectively see individual molecules work together to keep things living and functioning.
Main talking points:
- The latest advances in technique, particularly new ways to watch DNA replication and breakage within the cell.
- These approaches have been used to watch what important breast cancer proteins such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 do inside the cell and how the cell can lead to cancer from dysfunction or mutation.
Why is this research important?
Understanding the fundamental differences between healthy and diseased cells at the molecular level ultimately allows us to better prevent, diagnose, and treat these diseases.
When we look at dysfunction DNA replication, damage and proteins like BRCA1 and BRCA2, we are looking at the events that underpin cancer and genetic disease, as well as some forms of neurodegeneration and auto-immunity," Donna Whelan.
Presenter: Donna Whelan, Director of the Holsworth Biomedical Research Initiative.
Contact:
E: d.whelan@latrobe.edu.au
M: 0479 167 087
Climate change and health in the Loddon Mallee - understanding the impact on three diverse community groups
Research summary:
Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest threats to human health. The impact on health is disproportionate depending on location and the unique characteristics of varying population groups.
Rural and remote communities are identified as vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
Collaboration between La Trobe's Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research and the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit, with the project funded by Bendigo Health.
Main talking points:
- The research explores the impact of climate change on the health of priority groups within the Loddon Mallee region, including older people, people living with a disability and the culturally and linguistically diverse population groups throughout the region.
- The research examines the perceptions and experiences of climate change and its impact on health.
Presenter: Dr Jo Adams, Research Fellow at the Violet Vines Marshman Centre.
Contact:
E: j.adams2@latrobe.edu.au
M: 0408 571 955
Barriers and enablers to accessing perinatal health services for rural Australian women
Research summary:
Rural women and perinatal healthcare providers have acknowledged multi-level, complex barriers to accessing perinatal healthcare in rural Victoria.
Main talking points:
- The experience of accessing perinatal care for rural women is profoundly affected by their personal finance and transport, their relationships with perinatal care providers, the distribution of staff and services across Victoria, the integrity of relationship and communication between organisations and providers, and resourcing of healthcare providers and services.
- Factors that support women in rural areas to access perinatal care include rural culture, social capital, virtual care models and continuity of care.
- The research provides insights into the experiences of rural women.
Presenter: Fiona Faulks, Lecturer in Nursing and Midwifery.
Contact:
E: f.faulks@latrobe.edu.au
Voices from the margins: bridging gaps in oral health for Karen refugee children in rural terrain
Research summary:
Oral healthcare for culturally diverse refugees, specifically the Karen community, remains challenging despite efforts by Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV).
Researchers aim to develop and test an oral health promotion program aimed at parents.
Main talking points:
- This research aims to understand individual barriers faced by Karen refugee parents in accessing oral healthcare for their children in regional areas. It will also explore past experiences of Karen parents with dental practitioners and investigate perspectives of dental service providers.
Why is this research important?
- Health equity
- Cultural sensitivity
- Improved oral health
- Enhanced service utilisation
- Policy development
Presenter: Dr Sudheer Babu Balla, Dentist and PhD candidate in Dentistry and Oral Health
Contact:
E: s.balla@latrobe.edu.au
M: 0416 074 170
Does cardiac arrhythmia in recreational cyclists increase after high volume exercise?
Research summary:
The research examines how long, intense cycling of about five hours affects the heart's rhythm. Participants were monitored for nine days and researchers found that two-thirds had abnormal heart rhythms.
Main talking points:
- Many recreational cyclists have abnormal heart rhythms, which are prevalent in cycling compared to other activities
- The research aims to improve knowledge about the health effects of endurance cycling in a recreational context, rather than among elite athletes.
- Researchers are seeking volunteers to be involved in a study hoping to learn more about the prevalence of heart abnormalities in recreationally active people.
Presenter: Dr Daniel Wundersitz, Post Doctoral Research Fellow.
Contact:
E: d.wundersitz@latrobe.edu.au
Contact details:
