Around the Precinct – 15 October 2020

This week at the Alfred Research Alliance, our researchers continue to track the impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on everything from mental health to appetite; we look at the impact of coronary heart disease on work productivity; and see how awareness makes all the difference to thrombosis outcomes;

ALFRED HEALTH

Looking at the impact of lockdown on women’s mental health

Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdown measures have taken their toll on everyone, but women are struggling most. Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre director Prof Jayashri Kulkarni says while many people are struggling with the restrictions, there has been a particularly large spike in women seeking help for a wide range of reasons including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the impacts of COVID-19. Read more…

 

Awareness Key in Limiting Thrombosis

Dominic Mazzeo was a healthy 18-year-old before thrombosis saw him fighting for life in The Alfred. This condition kills thousands of people each year, but greater awareness could lessen the impact. Alfred Health senior pharmacist Hadley Bortz says “People are quite aware of the dangers of heart attacks and many of us know the warning signs and alter our lifestyle and diets accordingly,” he said. “It’s no different for thrombosis – the more people aware of it, the better, because a delay in seeking medical attention can end up in more life-threatening situations.” Read more…

BAKER HEART AND DIABETES INSTITUTE

The impact of coronary heart disease on work productivity

Coronary heart disease has been Australia’s leading cause of disease burden and death for many years, and impacts more than half a million Australians, but little has been known till now about the economic impact in terms of workplace productivity. Now a new paper by researchers from the Baker Institute and Monash University examining prevention and work productivity highlights the potential savings for the country. Read more…

MONASH UNIVERSITY

Monash researchers recognised by AAHMS

28 of the nation’s top medical and health researchers, including three from Monash University, have been elected as Fellows of the Australian  Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) in recognition of their outstanding contributions  to the health and medical research landscape in Australia, including 13 women.  The new Fellows (pictured below, L-R) include Monash Central Clinical School’s Prof Anton Peleg and Prof Merlin Thomas, and Prof Andrew Forbes from Monash Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Congratulations to these three, and all the new appointees.

MONASH PUBLIC HEALTH & PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

Lockdown impacts on appetite and eating, survey reveals

A large, national survey has found more than half of adults experienced over-eating or poor appetite during the first COVID-19 lockdown. The study, led by Dr Alice Owen from Monash SPHPM, found that more than one in 10 people reported overeating or poor appetite every day and more than half reporting being bothered by poor appetite or overeating in the previous fortnightRead more…

Loss of taste and smell a strong predictor of COVID-19

A study of patients who presented to emergency departments in July has revealed that contact with a positive case of COVID-19 or a loss of smell or taste are good predictors of someone with the virus. The world-first COVID-19 Emergency Department (COVED) Quality Improvement Project led by Monash researcher and emergency physician at The Alfred, A/Prof Gerard O’Reilly, is designed to help hospital emergency departments rapidly identify and predict the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection. Read more…