DoctorKira Patterson

Project Total: $74,500; HealthLit4Kids is the first known program designed to develop health literacy with a whole of school and individual classroom (curriculum design). It is unique and addresses a gap that exists locally, nationally and globally. The international literature has highlighted that health literacy development programs for primary schools/primary school aged children are scarce. Professional development and online resources need to be offered to multiple stakeholders who work with children and families including: paediatric registrars, public health interns, UTAS allied health masters students (dietitians, physio, social workers, occupational therapists, dieticians, clinical pharmacy, nursing) as an elective, school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers, child health and parenting services (CHAPs) nurses, oral health services (dentists and dental nurses), community based allied health professionals, early childhood teachers, teacher assistants, parents, community service providers (Mission, Redcross, Baptcare), primary and HPE teachers, play specialists, paediatric nurses, hospital school teachers. There is increasing demand for the HealthLit4Kids program nationally (64 schools on the wait list), including interest from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia and internationally Nigeria, Cameroon, Ireland, India, United Arab Emirates, Canada. This has increased since the publication of the research findings from the successful implementation of HealthLit4Kids in 5 Tasmanian schools. This demand is likely to escalate with the publication of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Report Health literacy development for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases? (due September 2021). This Report has been classified as a Global Public Good and includes a case study of HealthLit4Kids as part of the WHO National Health Literacy Demonstration Programs. The HealthLit4Kids founders are currently exploring alternative ways to meet this demand, including the creation of a social enterprise. The IP under development has been created within HealthLit4Kids which is an education program designed for use in primary schools to facilitate the development of children's health literacy. Further development of this IP will enable the program developers to extend the reach of HealthLit4Kids through mechanisms which embed sustainability and scalability, including digital platforms. Since April 2019, we have had 64 HealthLit4Kids registrations (29 Tasmania, 23 Nationally [QLD, NT, NSW, WA, VIC], 13 Internationally). The interest we have had from other states in Australia are predominantly from remote areas including Tennant Creek (NT), Bundaberg (QLD), Alice Springs (NT) and Pilbara (WA). This highlights a clear need and an opportunity to address inequity. Staff from 3 Hospitals (QLD, NSW, TAS) have also enquired and expressed an interest in its transferability to a children's ward/hospital setting. More recently due to an international book project being led by Dr Rosie Nash, we have received requests for our program from health literacy peers internationally, the most recent being from Nigeria, Africa. A preliminary review of the market suggest HealthLit4Kids is still leading internationally and that no competing program exists currently. Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Innovation Impact Fund; University of Tasmania ($74,500).

Project Total: $2,400,000; An ageing Australia will increasingly impact social, health and economic activity, as exemplified in complex disorders such as dementia. Obesity is also increasing at a rapid rate and is a major antecedent risk factor for a range of chronic illnesses. Both conditions will be a particular challenge for rural and regional communities as they have the highest rates of related risk factors and chronic illness, and also relatively reduced access to specialist medical services and preventative health programs. This proposal focusses on dementia and obesity in north-west Tasmania, developing innovative initiatives to manage and reduce risk of these conditions, which will reduce medical procedures overall including presentations to hospital. The program involves two major projects: the Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) and the Critical Age Periods for Impacting Obesogenic Lifestyles (CAPITOL) study. The ISLAND study will involve a pragmatic clustered randomised controlled on interventions for major potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, including obesity, physical activity, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, depression and cognitive stimulation/education, most of which are antecedents to chronic illness. The CAPITOL study will facilitate a transdisciplinary professional network to build a community-specific, sustainable approach to supporting children and families in relation to physical health and wellbeing. This project will identify enabling contextual factors which influence engagement in healthy physical play practices; foster buy-in from families (at multiple entry points); improve school readiness (through enhancing outcomes for children (0-8 years) in the AEDC domain of physical health and wellbeing), and generate sustainable communities of practice. 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. Funded by: Medical Research Future Fund - Grant - Keeping Australians Out of Hospital ($2,400,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $89,794; Preventative health project, empowering teachers and students to explore, discuss, design and share resources capable of improving Health/Literacy of Tasmanian school children and their families. The project will be conducted at four schools (to evaluate the Context, Mechanisms, Outcomes (COMS) necessary for program impact on the health literacy of the local community. Proof of concept will inform necessary resources and dissemination Tasmania wide (pending ARC partnership funds- DoE and DHHS). HealthLit4Kids program unfolds over three stages: Stage 1: Mobilise Resources & baseline Measures Stage 2: Health literacy workshops & Classroom activities Stage 3: Evaluation, Reporting & Dissemination Funded by: Tasmanian Community Fund - Grant ($89,794); University of Tasmania ($9,000).

Project Total: $19,468; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant - CALE Hothouse Alignment Scheme; University of Tasmania ($19,468).

Project Total: $67,500; Load management in developing secondary school athletes. With many talented young athletes participating in multiple sports under the direction of multiple coaches, overall load management can be problematic, contributing to under-performance and increased risk of injury. This project will utilise evidence-based sports science techniques and equipment to monitor and manage load in secondary school athletes in an attempt to optimise outcomes and sporting development. Funded by: Launceston Church Grammar School ($67,500); University of Tasmania ($60,000).

Project Total: $9,912; Preventative health project, empowering teachers and students to explore, discuss, design and share resources capable of improving Health/Literacy of Tasmanian school children and their families. The HealthLit4Kids pilot study has been designed and run by the Lead researchers during 2017 in Blackman's Bay Primary School, Tasmania, as part of a planned mixed method, multi-stage project. Health literacy is the ability to access, understand and apply information about healthy lifestyle choices that influence health behaviours and outcomes throughout the life course. Tasmania has low rates of literacy and health literacy; morbidity and mortality statistics are some of the worst in Australia. Therefore promoting and developing Health Literacy at the primary school level is of the utmost importance. This is best done through research partnerships with schools, teachers, parents and community organisations. This project has so far been resourced and supported by the lead researchers, school principal and teachers and a number of local community organisations. Following preparatory teacher workshops a comprehensive School Action Plan was developed. Innovative classroom teaching took place during July, August and September in all year grades, on a variety of Health Literacy topics related the Australian National Curriculum, Health and Physical Education. These classroom activities aimed to introduce to children culturally, socially and age group relevant Health Literacy concepts and their practical applications. Qualitative evidence of students' engagement and learning outcomes will be evaluated by teachers and researchers during a Health Literacy competition to be held 24 September to 4 October. Now CCS funding is sought for a paid Research Assistant who is needed in order to help the expanded research team analyse data already gathered and planned, including a parents' survey, focus group and final teacher workshop. Lessons learned about effective Health Literacy teaching strategies and resources modelled in the pilot need to be critically examined, analysed and documented in preparation for a broader project to be conducted in other primary schools in 2018, pending external grant funding. Funded by: University of Tasmania - Creativity, Culture & Society Research Development; University of Tasmania ($9,912).

Project Total: $8,500; This project aimed to measure the impact of Work-Integrated Learning in the Bachelor of Education Health and Physical Education programme. Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Research Enhancement Program; University of Tasmania ($8,500).

Project Total: $6,520; Funded by: The Select Foundation - Grant-Small Grants Scheme ($6,520); University of Tasmania.