Research projects

We have 38 projects, as well as a number of projects that our Standing Capacities are supporting. Most of these projects are described below, and a diagram of our projects and activities and their links to our objectives is here (PDF, 152KB).

Losing weight and keeping it off

The project will investigate the effectiveness of financial and social incentives to maintain weight loss that participants achieve during the Healthy Weight For Life program.

Integrating mind and body: combining physical and mental health

This project is exploring the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a locating a designated preventive care practitioner in a mental health service to address clients’ chronic disease risks.

Strengthening the evidence for childhood obesity strategies

Using a case study approach, the project investigated the enablers and barriers to successful implementation of childhood obesity management strategies using the experiences of implementing evidence-based programs in Queensland and NSW.

Benchmarking obesity policies in Australia

This project assessed whether globally recommended policies for creating healthy food environments are being implemented in Australia. It created report cards of Australian performance, clearly recognising good performance and highlighting areas for further improvements.

Mapping national action to prevent chronic disease

This project mapped State and Territory prevention responses to two national prevention initiatives: the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health and the 2005 National Chronic Disease Strategy.

Unlocking the potential of law to prevent chronic disease

The project is developing empirical research tools that policy makers and researchers can use to identify deficiencies in existing public health law and to inform the design of legislative reform. These tools will build the capacity of those invested in prevention to respond to the epidemic of chronic disease with innovative, tailored and practical policy models.

Mapping the role of health services in prevention

This PhD project is examining the role of non-admitted health services in delivering services aimed at preventing overweight and obesity. It will identify the barriers and enablers to incorporating a prevention focus into clinical care.

Gestational diabetes through a systems science lens

This PhD project is examining the growing problem of gestational diabetes using systems science methods. It will produce a simulation model for gestational diabetes to map the interactions between risk factors, and explore potential points of intervention.

Find out more

If you're interested in any of the Prevention Centre's research projects, or would like more information about any aspect of our work, please email us at preventioncentre@saxinstitute.org.au or call us on (02) 9188 9576.