Four new research projects into cardiovascular health using 45 and Up Study data are underway, thanks to a grant partnership between the Sax Institute and the Heart Foundation.
All grant recipients are early to mid-career researchers and have been given access to the 45 and Up Study, as well as linked data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, valued at more than $30,000. Grants were awarded on the quality and feasibility of research as well the potential outcomes.
Dr Anna Calkin, Strategic Research Portfolio Lead at the Heart Foundation, says it’s a fantastic opportunity. “For some of these researchers, this could be their first chance to lead a project, and it provides the opportunity to learn new skills in data analysis and developing an ethical framework,” she says. “To have access to an internationally renowned dataset like the 45 and Up Study is a real privilege.”
The four grant recipients are:
- Dr Juliana de Oliveira Costa from the University of New South Wales, who is measuring the uptake of new antidiabetic medications in adults with Type 2 diabetes. These medications (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues) reduce cardiovascular death and improve heart outcomes in high-risk people.
- Dr Matthew Hollings from the University of Sydney, who is investigating whether more physical activity protects against heart attacks for individuals who have no typical risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.
- Associate Professor Nitesh Nerlekar from Monash University, who is investigating the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. The project aims to identify risk of CVD in people with cancer as well as risks of cancer in people with CVD.
- Dr Sarah Zaman from the University of Sydney, who is looking at the potential link between pregnancy-related complications and a higher risk of CVD in Australian women, and if such a link is affected by factors such as diet, menopausal status and ethnicity.
Dr Kerrin Bleicher, Director of the Sax Institute’s Research Assets division, congratulates the four grant recipients and says their projects showcase the power of the 45 and Up Study.
“The rich data that the Study has on lifestyle factors, like physical activity, sleep, smoking and vaping make it really valuable for research into cardiovascular health,” she says. “Researchers can also use the Study to look at cardiovascular health and how it connects to other chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, and mental health which is really important for public health planning.”
The Heart Foundation is a major partner of the 45 and Up Study. Future grant opportunities with the Study will be announced later this year on the Heart Foundation’s website as well as through the Sax Institute’s monthly newsletter, Evidence Matters.
PUBLICATION DATE
28 June 2023
