Ageing in Australia - Challenges and Opportunities
- O'Loughlin, Kate, Browning, Colette, Kendig, Hal
- Authors: O'Loughlin, Kate , Browning, Colette , Kendig, Hal
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book
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- Description: This stimulating volume examines the many faces of Australias ageing population, the social and health issues they contend with, and the steps being takenand many that should be takento help ensure a more positive and productive later life. Individual and societal ageing are conceptualized as developmental in nature, socially diverse, and marked by daily life challenges stemming from the countrys economic structures, attitudes, geography, political landscape, and infrastructure. Wide-ranging coverage (e.g., health, inequalities, employment, transportation) assesses options available to older people, and the role of families, employers, service providers, government agencies, and others in promoting or expanding those choices. The books double emphasis on challenges in older peoples lives and opportunities for enhancing their quality of life is on clear display as case studies examine policy issuesand propose solutionsin a societal and individual context. Included in the coverage: · Australian developments in ageing: issues and history · Cultural diversity, health, and ageing · Indigenous Australians and ageing: responding to diversity in policy and practice · Enhancing the health and employment participation of older workers · Housing and the environments of ageing · Health services and care for older people The rich examples in Ageing in Australia contain a depth of understanding and evidence for sociologists, gerontologists and psychologists studying ageing, health care professionals providing care to older people, and policy analysts assessing areas for improvement.
An innovative model for second language learning and social inclusion
- Huang, Hui, Cordella, Marisa, Browning, Colette, Baumgartner, Ramona
- Authors: Huang, Hui , Cordella, Marisa , Browning, Colette , Baumgartner, Ramona
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Rethinking Second Language Learning: Using Intergenerational Community Resources p. 226-238
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Barriers and enablers to the delivery of psychological care in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China : a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework
- Chapman, Anna, Yang, Hui, Thomas, Shane, Searle, Kendall, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Chapman, Anna , Yang, Hui , Thomas, Shane , Searle, Kendall , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Health Services Research Vol. 16, no. 1 (2016), p.
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- Description: Background: China has the largest number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases globally and individuals with T2DM have an increased risk of developing mental health disorders and functional problems. Despite guidelines recommending that psychological care be delivered in conjunction with standard T2DM care; psychological care is not routinely delivered in China. Community Health Centre (CHC) doctors play a key role in the management of patients with T2DM in China. Understanding the behavioural determinants of CHC doctors in the implementation of psychological care recommendations allows for the design of targeted and culturally appropriate interventions. As such, this study aimed to examine barriers and enablers to the delivery of psychological care to patients with T2DM from the perspective of CHC doctors in China. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 23 CHC doctors from Shenzhen, China. The discussion guide applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) that examines current practice and identifies key barriers and enablers perceived to influence practice. Focus groups were conducted with an interpreter, and were digitally recorded and transcribed. Two researchers independently coded transcripts into pre-defined themes using deductive thematic analysis. Results: Barriers and enablers perceived by doctors as being relevant to the delivery of psychological care for patients with T2DM were primarily categorised within eight TDF domains. Key barriers included: CHC doctors' knowledge and skills; time constraints; and absence of financial incentives. Other barriers included: societal perception that treating psychological aspects of health is less important than physical health; lack of opinion leaders; doctors' intentional disregard of psychological care; and doubts regarding the efficacy of psychological care. In contrast, perceived enablers included: Training of CHC doctors in psychological skills; identification of afternoon/evening clinic times when recommendations could be implemented; introduction of financial incentives; and the creation of a professional role (e.g. diabetes educator), that could implement psychological care recommendations to patients with T2DM. © 2016 Chapman et al..
- Authors: Chapman, Anna , Yang, Hui , Thomas, Shane , Searle, Kendall , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Health Services Research Vol. 16, no. 1 (2016), p.
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- Description: Background: China has the largest number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases globally and individuals with T2DM have an increased risk of developing mental health disorders and functional problems. Despite guidelines recommending that psychological care be delivered in conjunction with standard T2DM care; psychological care is not routinely delivered in China. Community Health Centre (CHC) doctors play a key role in the management of patients with T2DM in China. Understanding the behavioural determinants of CHC doctors in the implementation of psychological care recommendations allows for the design of targeted and culturally appropriate interventions. As such, this study aimed to examine barriers and enablers to the delivery of psychological care to patients with T2DM from the perspective of CHC doctors in China. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 23 CHC doctors from Shenzhen, China. The discussion guide applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) that examines current practice and identifies key barriers and enablers perceived to influence practice. Focus groups were conducted with an interpreter, and were digitally recorded and transcribed. Two researchers independently coded transcripts into pre-defined themes using deductive thematic analysis. Results: Barriers and enablers perceived by doctors as being relevant to the delivery of psychological care for patients with T2DM were primarily categorised within eight TDF domains. Key barriers included: CHC doctors' knowledge and skills; time constraints; and absence of financial incentives. Other barriers included: societal perception that treating psychological aspects of health is less important than physical health; lack of opinion leaders; doctors' intentional disregard of psychological care; and doubts regarding the efficacy of psychological care. In contrast, perceived enablers included: Training of CHC doctors in psychological skills; identification of afternoon/evening clinic times when recommendations could be implemented; introduction of financial incentives; and the creation of a professional role (e.g. diabetes educator), that could implement psychological care recommendations to patients with T2DM. © 2016 Chapman et al..
- Brijnath, Bianca, Gilbert, Andrew, Kent, Mike, Ellis, Katie, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Brijnath, Bianca , Gilbert, Andrew , Kent, Mike , Ellis, Katie , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Dementia Vol. 20, no. 6 (2021), p. 1910-1924
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- Description: The ‘family crisis’ narrative is frequently used in dementia studies to explain ethnic minority families’ pathways to health and aged care and why there is delayed dementia diagnoses in ethnic minority communities. Such narratives may obscure the family carers’ agency in negotiating services and managing personal, social and structural burdens in the lead up to diagnosis. To illuminate agency, this article describes ethnic minority families’ pathways to a dementia diagnosis using the concept of sense-making. Three case studies were drawn from 56 video interviews with family carers of older adults with dementia from Chinese, Arab and Indian backgrounds. Interviews were conducted across Australia from February to August 2018, then translated, transcribed and thematically analysed. Findings suggest families did not enter into formal care because of a crisis, instead navigating fragmented systems and conflicting advice to obtain a dementia diagnosis and access to relevant care. This experience was driven by sense-making (a search for plausible explanations) that involved family carers interpreting discrepant cues in changes to the behaviour of the person with dementia over time, managing conflicting (medical) advice about these discrepancies and reinterpreting their relationships with hindsight. The sense-making concept offers a more constructive hermeneutic than the ‘family crisis’ narrative as it illuminates the agency of carers’ in understanding changed behaviours, negotiating services and managing personal, social and structural barriers pre-diagnosis. The concept also demonstrates the need for a multimodal approach to promoting timely diagnosis of dementia in ethnic minority communities through dementia awareness and literacy campaigns as well as initiatives that address structural inequities. © The Author(s) 2020. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Colette Browning” is provided in this record**
Boundary crossers : how providers facilitate ethnic minority families' access to dementia services
- Brijnath, Bianca, Gilbert, Andrew, Antoniades, Josefine, Croy, Samantha, Kent, Mike, Ellis, Katie, Browning, Colette, Goeman, Dianne, Adams, Jon
- Authors: Brijnath, Bianca , Gilbert, Andrew , Antoniades, Josefine , Croy, Samantha , Kent, Mike , Ellis, Katie , Browning, Colette , Goeman, Dianne , Adams, Jon
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Vol. 77, no. 2 (2022), p. 396-406
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- Description: Objectives: Providers who work closely with ethnic minority people with dementia and their families are pivotal in helping them access services. However, few studies have examined how these providers actually do this work. Using the concept of "boundary crossers,"this article investigates the strategies applied by these providers to facilitate access to dementia services for ethnic minority people with dementia and their families. Methods: Between 2017 and 2020, in-depth video-recorded interviews were conducted with 27 health, aged care, and community service providers working with ethnic minority people living with dementia across Australia. Interviews were conducted in one of seven languages and/or in English, then translated and transcribed verbatim into English. The data were analyzed thematically. Results: Family and community stigma associated with dementia and extra-familial care were significant barriers to families engaging with services. To overcome these barriers, participants worked at the boundaries of culture and dementia, community and systems, strategically using English and other vernaculars, clinical and cultural terminology, building trust and rapport, and assisting with service navigation to improve access. Concurrently, they were cognizant of familial boundaries and were careful to provide services that were culturally appropriate without supplanting the families' role. Discussion: In negotiating cultural, social, and professional boundaries, providers undertake multidimensional and complex work that involves education, advocacy, negotiation, navigation, creativity, and emotional engagement. This work is largely undervalued but offers a model of care that facilitates social and community development as well as service integration across health, aged care, and social services. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved.
- Thomas, Shane, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Thomas, Shane , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Encyclopedia of Geropsychology p.
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- Description: Burden of disease (BoD) is a population measure of the effects of a specific disease or health problem. It is usually measured by Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and/or by the related concept of Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). A DALY is a year of healthy life that is “lost” because of a specific condition. When the DALYs associated with a condition within a population are summed, this is the burden of disease (BoD). The burden of disease is the number of healthy years lost in a population compared to full health. The QALY is the person’s length of life multiplied by a valuation of their health-related quality of life. QALY measures are frequently used in the economic evaluation of health interventions. The World Health Organization coordinates a major ongoing global study of BoD, the Global Burden of Disease Study.
Challenges and opportunities for an ageing Australia
- O’Loughlin, Kate, Kendig, Hal, Browning, Colette
- Authors: O’Loughlin, Kate , Kendig, Hal , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Ageing in Australia - Challenges and Opportunities Chapter 1 p. 1-10
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- Description: Population ageing is a global phenomenon whose impact is only now being fully recognised and understood. Increased longevity, aspirations for improved quality of life, advances in health and better welfare provision are generally accepted as parts of a variable success story that will demand ongoing action with the expectation that populations worldwide will live to increasingly older ages (OECD 2015; WHO 2015). Governments around the world are now grappling with the significant social and economic challenges raised by population ageing: some of the notable policy responses in Australia to date include encouraging people to stay in the labour force beyond the traditional retirement age of 65 years, increasing the pension eligibility age, promoting healthy and active ageing, supporting older people to ‘age in place’ and the introduction of consumer-directed care and user-pays into aged care services.
Cognitive distortions among older adult gamblers in an Asian context
- Subramaniam, Mythily, Chong, Siow, Browning, Colette, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily , Chong, Siow , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 12, no. 5 (2017), p.
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- Description: Aims: The study aims to describe the construct of cognitive distortions based on the narratives of older adult gamblers (aged 60 years and above) in Singapore. Methods: Singapore residents (citizens or permanent residents) aged 60 years and above, who were current or past regular gamblers were included in the study. Participants were recruited using a combination of venue based approach, referrals from service providers as well as by snowball sampling. In all, 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with older adult gamblers. The six-step thematic network analysis methodology was adopted for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 66.2 years. The majority were male (n = 18), of Chinese ethnicity (n = 16), with a mean age of gambling initiation at 24.5 years. Among older adult gamblers, cognitive distortions emerged as a significant global theme comprising three organizing themes-illusion of control, probability control and interpretive control. The organizing themes comprised nine basic themes: perception of gambling as a skill, near miss, concept of luck, superstitious beliefs, entrapment, gambler's fallacy, chasing wins, chasing losses, and beliefs that wins are more than losses. Conclusions: Cognitive distortions were endorsed by all gamblers in the current study and were shown to play a role in both maintaining and escalating the gambling behaviour. While the surface characteristics of the distortions had a culture-specific appearance, the deeper characteristics of the distortions may in fact be more universal than previously thought. Future research must include longitudinal studies to understand causal relationships between cognitive distortions and gambling as well as the role of culture-specific distortions both in the maintenance and treatment of the disorder. © 2017 Subramaniam et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily , Chong, Siow , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 12, no. 5 (2017), p.
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- Description: Aims: The study aims to describe the construct of cognitive distortions based on the narratives of older adult gamblers (aged 60 years and above) in Singapore. Methods: Singapore residents (citizens or permanent residents) aged 60 years and above, who were current or past regular gamblers were included in the study. Participants were recruited using a combination of venue based approach, referrals from service providers as well as by snowball sampling. In all, 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with older adult gamblers. The six-step thematic network analysis methodology was adopted for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 66.2 years. The majority were male (n = 18), of Chinese ethnicity (n = 16), with a mean age of gambling initiation at 24.5 years. Among older adult gamblers, cognitive distortions emerged as a significant global theme comprising three organizing themes-illusion of control, probability control and interpretive control. The organizing themes comprised nine basic themes: perception of gambling as a skill, near miss, concept of luck, superstitious beliefs, entrapment, gambler's fallacy, chasing wins, chasing losses, and beliefs that wins are more than losses. Conclusions: Cognitive distortions were endorsed by all gamblers in the current study and were shown to play a role in both maintaining and escalating the gambling behaviour. While the surface characteristics of the distortions had a culture-specific appearance, the deeper characteristics of the distortions may in fact be more universal than previously thought. Future research must include longitudinal studies to understand causal relationships between cognitive distortions and gambling as well as the role of culture-specific distortions both in the maintenance and treatment of the disorder. © 2017 Subramaniam et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Contemporary intergenerational relationships
- Feldman, Susan, Radermacher, Harriet, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Feldman, Susan , Radermacher, Harriet , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Rethinking Second Language Learning: Using Intergenerational Community Resources p. 25-36
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Effect of a health coach intervention for the management of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China : a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial
- Chapman, Anna, Browning, Colette, Enticott, Joanne, Yang, Hui, Liu, Shuo, Zhang, Tuohong, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Chapman, Anna , Browning, Colette , Enticott, Joanne , Yang, Hui , Liu, Shuo , Zhang, Tuohong , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 6, (2018)
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- Description: Aim: To determine the effect of a health coach intervention for the management of glycemic control, as well as physiological, psychological and self-care outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), compared with usual care. Methods:This pragmatic cluster RCT was conducted in the Fengtai district of Beijing from August 2011 to December 2013. Forty-one community health stations (CHSs) were cluster randomized (stratified geographically, 1:1 ratio) and eligible, randomly selected T2DM patients were sequentially contacted by CHSs. Control participants received usual care according to the Chinese Guideline for Diabetes Prevention and Management. Intervention participants received 18-months of health coaching based on principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI) plus usual care. Medical and pathology fees were waived for both groups. Outcome assessment was performed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18-months. The primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); secondary outcomes encompassed a suite of physiological, psychological and self-care measures. Results:No differential treatment effect was found at 18-months for HbA1c (adj. difference -0.07, 95% CI -0.53 to 0.39, p = 0.769) or any specified secondary outcomes. Interestingly, both groups displayed a statistically and clinically significant within-group improvement of the same magnitude at 18-months for HbA1c (intervention: mean change -3.65, 95% CI -3.92 to -3.37; control: mean change -3.38, 95% CI -3.67 to -3.08). Conclusions:The lack of differential treatment effects observed indicate that it may be premature to recommend the routine delivery of health coach interventions based on MI principles for the management of T2DM in China. However, the large, comparable within-group improvement in mean HbA1c promotes the establishment of free, regular clinical health assessments for individuals with T2DM in China. © 2018 Chapman, Browning, Enticott, Yang, Liu, Zhang and Thomas.
- Authors: Chapman, Anna , Browning, Colette , Enticott, Joanne , Yang, Hui , Liu, Shuo , Zhang, Tuohong , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 6, (2018)
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- Description: Aim: To determine the effect of a health coach intervention for the management of glycemic control, as well as physiological, psychological and self-care outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), compared with usual care. Methods:This pragmatic cluster RCT was conducted in the Fengtai district of Beijing from August 2011 to December 2013. Forty-one community health stations (CHSs) were cluster randomized (stratified geographically, 1:1 ratio) and eligible, randomly selected T2DM patients were sequentially contacted by CHSs. Control participants received usual care according to the Chinese Guideline for Diabetes Prevention and Management. Intervention participants received 18-months of health coaching based on principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI) plus usual care. Medical and pathology fees were waived for both groups. Outcome assessment was performed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18-months. The primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); secondary outcomes encompassed a suite of physiological, psychological and self-care measures. Results:No differential treatment effect was found at 18-months for HbA1c (adj. difference -0.07, 95% CI -0.53 to 0.39, p = 0.769) or any specified secondary outcomes. Interestingly, both groups displayed a statistically and clinically significant within-group improvement of the same magnitude at 18-months for HbA1c (intervention: mean change -3.65, 95% CI -3.92 to -3.37; control: mean change -3.38, 95% CI -3.67 to -3.08). Conclusions:The lack of differential treatment effects observed indicate that it may be premature to recommend the routine delivery of health coach interventions based on MI principles for the management of T2DM in China. However, the large, comparable within-group improvement in mean HbA1c promotes the establishment of free, regular clinical health assessments for individuals with T2DM in China. © 2018 Chapman, Browning, Enticott, Yang, Liu, Zhang and Thomas.
Food, eating, and happy aging : the perceptions of older Chinese people
- Browning, Colette, Qiu, Zeqi, Yang, Hui, Zhang, Touhong, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Browning, Colette , Qiu, Zeqi , Yang, Hui , Zhang, Touhong , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. APR (2019), p.
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- Description: China's government and its people have for a long time focused on food security for its population as one of the most important issues in economic and social development. Many older people in China have lived in times when food security was not stable. Thus, while food has a central position in Chinese culture for all Chinese people, it is of particular pertinence to older people. In this paper we explore the meaning of food and eating in the lives of older Chinese people in China and how it contributes to healthy, thus happy aging. Focus groups and qualitative interviews were used in this study. Participants were recruited from the rural Yongfu Province of Southwest China, and the urban Fangzhuang and Haidan districts in Beijing. Forty-two participants were recruited aged 62-83 years of age. All focus groups and interviews were conducted in Mandarin and audiotaped with the participants' permission. Audio-tapes were transcribed by a Chinese speaking researcher and then were translated into English. Data were analyzed continuously and comparatively, transcripts were coded, and themes and sub-themes were identified. The initial analysis and interpretation were then presented and discussed at a workshop with all the authors. Two major themes emerged-the quantity of food and the quality of food required to have a happy old age. Participants discussed the desire to eat "until you are full" because of their experiences of famine during childhood. However, they also believed that as an older person they should eat less for their health, particularly less high fat foods. The importance of the food quality and food affordability was also discussed. Grain and meat were characterized as "good" foods and important in their diets for a happy old age. The participants, especially those from urban areas, were concerned with food safety. The high cultural importance of food for older Chinese in China was confirmed in this study. Social and economic lifespan experiences continue to impact on the food and eating attitudes and practices of older Chinese. The food related life experiences of older Chinese in China are quite different from younger Chinese and health promotion messaging needs to be informed by these unique perspectives in order to maximize its effectiveness. © 2019 Browning, Qiu, Yang, Zhang and Thomas.
- Authors: Browning, Colette , Qiu, Zeqi , Yang, Hui , Zhang, Touhong , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. APR (2019), p.
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- Description: China's government and its people have for a long time focused on food security for its population as one of the most important issues in economic and social development. Many older people in China have lived in times when food security was not stable. Thus, while food has a central position in Chinese culture for all Chinese people, it is of particular pertinence to older people. In this paper we explore the meaning of food and eating in the lives of older Chinese people in China and how it contributes to healthy, thus happy aging. Focus groups and qualitative interviews were used in this study. Participants were recruited from the rural Yongfu Province of Southwest China, and the urban Fangzhuang and Haidan districts in Beijing. Forty-two participants were recruited aged 62-83 years of age. All focus groups and interviews were conducted in Mandarin and audiotaped with the participants' permission. Audio-tapes were transcribed by a Chinese speaking researcher and then were translated into English. Data were analyzed continuously and comparatively, transcripts were coded, and themes and sub-themes were identified. The initial analysis and interpretation were then presented and discussed at a workshop with all the authors. Two major themes emerged-the quantity of food and the quality of food required to have a happy old age. Participants discussed the desire to eat "until you are full" because of their experiences of famine during childhood. However, they also believed that as an older person they should eat less for their health, particularly less high fat foods. The importance of the food quality and food affordability was also discussed. Grain and meat were characterized as "good" foods and important in their diets for a happy old age. The participants, especially those from urban areas, were concerned with food safety. The high cultural importance of food for older Chinese in China was confirmed in this study. Social and economic lifespan experiences continue to impact on the food and eating attitudes and practices of older Chinese. The food related life experiences of older Chinese in China are quite different from younger Chinese and health promotion messaging needs to be informed by these unique perspectives in order to maximize its effectiveness. © 2019 Browning, Qiu, Yang, Zhang and Thomas.
Gambling and family : a two-way relationship
- Subramaniam, Mythily, Chong, Siow, Satghare, Pratika, Browning, Colette, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily , Chong, Siow , Satghare, Pratika , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Behavioral Addictions Vol. 6, no. 4 (2017), p. 689-698
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- Description: Background and aims: Families play an important role in the evolution of gambling and are also adversely affected by the disordered gambling of any one of their members. The aims of this study were to explore both the role families play in gambling initiation, maintenance, and help-seeking, and the harm caused to families by the gambling behavior using a qualitative approach. Methods: Regular older adult gamblers were included in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 older adults to gain an understanding of gambling from their perspective. Older adult gamblers described their lived experience of gambling ranging from initiation to harm and attempts to cut down or limit gambling. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis. Results: The mean age of the 25 participants was 66.2 years. The majority were male (n = 18), of Chinese ethnicity (n = 16), had secondary education (n = 9), were married (n = 20), and currently employed (n = 15). Four organizing themes related to the role of families in initiation and maintenance of gambling, harm caused to family members, and their role in help-seeking were identified. Discussion and conclusions: The study emphasizes the role of Asian families in both initiation and maintenance of gambling. Hence, families must be involved in prevention and outreach programs. Family members must be educated, so that they can encourage help-seeking to ensure early treatment and recovery. There is a need for interventional studies for reducing stress and improving coping among family members. © 2017 The Author(s).
- Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily , Chong, Siow , Satghare, Pratika , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Behavioral Addictions Vol. 6, no. 4 (2017), p. 689-698
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- Description: Background and aims: Families play an important role in the evolution of gambling and are also adversely affected by the disordered gambling of any one of their members. The aims of this study were to explore both the role families play in gambling initiation, maintenance, and help-seeking, and the harm caused to families by the gambling behavior using a qualitative approach. Methods: Regular older adult gamblers were included in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 older adults to gain an understanding of gambling from their perspective. Older adult gamblers described their lived experience of gambling ranging from initiation to harm and attempts to cut down or limit gambling. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis. Results: The mean age of the 25 participants was 66.2 years. The majority were male (n = 18), of Chinese ethnicity (n = 16), had secondary education (n = 9), were married (n = 20), and currently employed (n = 15). Four organizing themes related to the role of families in initiation and maintenance of gambling, harm caused to family members, and their role in help-seeking were identified. Discussion and conclusions: The study emphasizes the role of Asian families in both initiation and maintenance of gambling. Hence, families must be involved in prevention and outreach programs. Family members must be educated, so that they can encourage help-seeking to ensure early treatment and recovery. There is a need for interventional studies for reducing stress and improving coping among family members. © 2017 The Author(s).
- Browning, Colette, Thomas, Shane, Kendig, Hal, Ory, Marcia
- Authors: Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane , Kendig, Hal , Ory, Marcia
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Encyclopedia of Geropsychology p.
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- Description: In the last 40 years, there have been many attempts to define healthy aging and its synonyms. The evolution of the definitions of healthy aging and its many synonyms has reflected contemporary thinking and a high level of interest in the health and quality of life of older people. The WHO now defines healthy aging as: The process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well being in old age. (World Health Organization 2015, p. 40) An earlier similar definition was provided by Health Canada as part of a systematic research program on aging and the maximization of quality of life. A lifelong process of optimising opportunities for improving and preserving health and physical, social and mental wellness, independence, quality of life and enhancing successful life-course transitions. (Health Canada 2001, p. 1) The European Union Healthy Ageing Project (Swedish National Institute of Public Health 2006) defined it as “… the process of optimising opportunities for physical, social and mental health to enable older people to take an active part in society without discrimination and to enjoy an independent and good quality of life.” Other definitions include: …the development and maintenance of optimal physical, mental and social well-being and function in older adults. It is most likely to be achieved by individuals who live in physical environments and communities that are safe and support the adoption and maintenance of attitudes and behaviors known to promote health and well-being; and the effective use of health services to prevent or minimize the impact of acute and chronic disease on function. (US Health Promotion Research Centre Healthy Aging Research Network) … a process whereby people can achieve or maintain the best possible state of physical, cognitive and mental health and well being, meaningful and positive engagement with people, community and institutions, and a personal sense of security, choice and autonomy, with active adaptation to ageing processes from the individual, familial and societal perspectives. (Browning and Thomas 2007)
- Radermacher, Harriet, Browning, Colette, Feldman, Susan
- Authors: Radermacher, Harriet , Browning, Colette , Feldman, Susan
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Rethinking second language learning 8 p.
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- Description: IntroductionWhile the primary aim of our project was to provide opportunities for young language learners to converse with native speakers, an important secondary goal was to engage older people in meaningful and active tasks through formally structured intergenerational encounters. Underpinning this gerontological approach was the intergenerational schools-based study of Feldman et al. (2002: 21), which concluded that by utilising the ‘talents and skills of older persons for use with students ... the potential exists for a mutuality of benefit – both students and older persons stand to gain from the experience’. In bringing together older and younger people for a specific purpose, it was anticipated that not only would the students’ language proficiency be improved but that there would be a whole host of additional benefits on both sides. These potential benefits included, but were not limited to: encouraging the exchange of cultural, linguistic and intergenerational skills, knowledge and values; challenging intergenerational stereotypes; and improving the psychosocial health of both younger and older participants
Identifying public healthcare priorities in virtual care for older adults : a participatory research study
- Pu, Dai, Palmer, Victoria, Greenstock, Louise, Pigott, Cathie, Peeters, Anna, Sanci, Lena, Callisaya, Michele, Browning, Colette, Chapman, Wendy, Haines, Terry
- Authors: Pu, Dai , Palmer, Victoria , Greenstock, Louise , Pigott, Cathie , Peeters, Anna , Sanci, Lena , Callisaya, Michele , Browning, Colette , Chapman, Wendy , Haines, Terry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 20, no. 5 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
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- Description: There has been increasing adoption and implementation of virtual healthcare in recent years, especially with COVID-19 impacting the world. As a result, virtual care initiatives may not undergo stringent quality control processes to ensure that they are appropriate to their context and meet sector needs. The two objectives of this study were to identify virtual care initiatives for older adults currently in use in Victoria and virtual care challenges that could be prioritised for further investigation and scale-up and to understand why certain virtual care initiatives and challenges are prioritised over others for investigation and scale-up. Methods: This project used an Emerging Design approach. A survey of public health services in the state of Victoria in Australia was first carried out, followed by the co-production of research and healthcare priorities with key stakeholders in the areas of primary care, hospital care, consumer representation, research, and government. The survey was used to gather existing virtual care initiatives for older adults and any associated challenges. Co-production processes consisted of individual ratings of initiatives and group-based discussions to identify priority virtual care initiatives and challenges to be addressed for future scale-up. Stakeholders nominated their top three virtual initiatives following discussions. Results: Telehealth was nominated as the highest priority initiative type for scaling up, with virtual emergency department models of care nominated as the highest priority within this category. Remote monitoring was voted as a top priority for further investigations. The top virtual care challenge was data sharing across services and settings, and the user-friendliness of virtual care platforms was nominated as the top priority for further investigation. Conclusions: Stakeholders prioritised public health virtual care initiatives that are easy to adopt and address needs that are perceived to be more immediate (acute more so than chronic care). Virtual care initiatives that incorporate more technology and integrated elements are valued, but more information is needed to inform their potential scale-up. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Pu, Dai , Palmer, Victoria , Greenstock, Louise , Pigott, Cathie , Peeters, Anna , Sanci, Lena , Callisaya, Michele , Browning, Colette , Chapman, Wendy , Haines, Terry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 20, no. 5 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There has been increasing adoption and implementation of virtual healthcare in recent years, especially with COVID-19 impacting the world. As a result, virtual care initiatives may not undergo stringent quality control processes to ensure that they are appropriate to their context and meet sector needs. The two objectives of this study were to identify virtual care initiatives for older adults currently in use in Victoria and virtual care challenges that could be prioritised for further investigation and scale-up and to understand why certain virtual care initiatives and challenges are prioritised over others for investigation and scale-up. Methods: This project used an Emerging Design approach. A survey of public health services in the state of Victoria in Australia was first carried out, followed by the co-production of research and healthcare priorities with key stakeholders in the areas of primary care, hospital care, consumer representation, research, and government. The survey was used to gather existing virtual care initiatives for older adults and any associated challenges. Co-production processes consisted of individual ratings of initiatives and group-based discussions to identify priority virtual care initiatives and challenges to be addressed for future scale-up. Stakeholders nominated their top three virtual initiatives following discussions. Results: Telehealth was nominated as the highest priority initiative type for scaling up, with virtual emergency department models of care nominated as the highest priority within this category. Remote monitoring was voted as a top priority for further investigations. The top virtual care challenge was data sharing across services and settings, and the user-friendliness of virtual care platforms was nominated as the top priority for further investigation. Conclusions: Stakeholders prioritised public health virtual care initiatives that are easy to adopt and address needs that are perceived to be more immediate (acute more so than chronic care). Virtual care initiatives that incorporate more technology and integrated elements are valued, but more information is needed to inform their potential scale-up. © 2023 by the authors.
Lifestyle management of hypertension : International Society of Hypertension position paper endorsed by the World Hypertension League and European Society of Hypertension
- Charchar, Fadi, Prestes, Priscilla, Mills, Charlotte, Ching, Siew, Neupane, Dinesh, Marques, Francine, Sharman, James, Vogt, Liffert, Burrell, Louise, Korostovtseva, Lyudmila, Zec, Manja, Patil, Mansi, Schultz, Martin, Wallen, Matthew, Renna, Nicolás, Islam, Sheikh, Hiremath, Swapnil, Gyeltshen, Tshewang, Chia, Yook-Chin, Gupta, Abhinav, Schutte, Aletta, Klein, Britt, Borghi, Claudio, Browning, Colette, Czesnikiewicz-Guzik, Marta, Lee, Hae-Young, Itoh, Hiroshi, Miura, Katsuyuki, Akinnibosun, Olutope, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Charchar, Fadi , Prestes, Priscilla , Mills, Charlotte , Ching, Siew , Neupane, Dinesh , Marques, Francine , Sharman, James , Vogt, Liffert , Burrell, Louise , Korostovtseva, Lyudmila , Zec, Manja , Patil, Mansi , Schultz, Martin , Wallen, Matthew , Renna, Nicolás , Islam, Sheikh , Hiremath, Swapnil , Gyeltshen, Tshewang , Chia, Yook-Chin , Gupta, Abhinav , Schutte, Aletta , Klein, Britt , Borghi, Claudio , Browning, Colette , Czesnikiewicz-Guzik, Marta , Lee, Hae-Young , Itoh, Hiroshi , Miura, Katsuyuki , Akinnibosun, Olutope , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of hypertension Vol. 42, no. 1 (2024), p. 23-49
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Fadi Charchar, Priscilla Prestes, Britt Klein, Colette Browning, Olutope Akinnibosun and Shane Thomas” are provided in this record**
- Description: Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Fadi Charchar, Priscilla Prestes, Britt Klein, Colette Browning, Olutope Akinnibossun and Shane Thomas” are provided in this record**
- Authors: Charchar, Fadi , Prestes, Priscilla , Mills, Charlotte , Ching, Siew , Neupane, Dinesh , Marques, Francine , Sharman, James , Vogt, Liffert , Burrell, Louise , Korostovtseva, Lyudmila , Zec, Manja , Patil, Mansi , Schultz, Martin , Wallen, Matthew , Renna, Nicolás , Islam, Sheikh , Hiremath, Swapnil , Gyeltshen, Tshewang , Chia, Yook-Chin , Gupta, Abhinav , Schutte, Aletta , Klein, Britt , Borghi, Claudio , Browning, Colette , Czesnikiewicz-Guzik, Marta , Lee, Hae-Young , Itoh, Hiroshi , Miura, Katsuyuki , Akinnibosun, Olutope , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2024
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of hypertension Vol. 42, no. 1 (2024), p. 23-49
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Fadi Charchar, Priscilla Prestes, Britt Klein, Colette Browning, Olutope Akinnibosun and Shane Thomas” are provided in this record**
- Description: Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Fadi Charchar, Priscilla Prestes, Britt Klein, Colette Browning, Olutope Akinnibossun and Shane Thomas” are provided in this record**
Management of type 2 diabetes in China : the happy life club, a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial using health coaches
- Browning, Colette, Chapman, Anna, Yang, Hui, Liu, Shuo, Zhang, Tuohong, Enticott, Joanne, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Browning, Colette , Chapman, Anna , Yang, Hui , Liu, Shuo , Zhang, Tuohong , Enticott, Joanne , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMJ Open Vol. 6, no. 3 (2016), p.
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- Description: Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a coach-led motivational interviewing (MI) intervention in improving glycaemic control, as well as clinical, psychosocial and self-care outcomes of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with usual care. Design: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT). Setting: Community Health Stations (CHSs) in Fengtai district, Beijing, China. Participants: Of the 41 randomised CHSs (21 intervention and 20 control), 21 intervention CHSs (372 participants) and 18 control CHSs (296 participants) started participation. Intervention: Intervention participants received telephone and face-to-face MI health coaching in addition to usual care from their CHS. Control participants received usual care only. Medical fees were waived for both groups. Outcome measures: Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcome measure was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary outcomes included a suite of anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood, psychosocial and self-care measures. Results: At 12 months, no differential treatment effect was found for HbA1c (adjusted difference 0.02, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.44, p=0.929), with both treatment and control groups showing significant improvements. However, two secondary outcomes: psychological distress (adjusted difference -2.38, 95% CI -4.64 to -0.12, p=0.039) and systolic BP (adjusted difference -3.57, 95% CI -6.08 to -1.05, p=0.005) were robust outcomes consistent with significant differential treatment effects, as supported in sensitivity analyses. Interestingly, in addition to HbA1c, both groups displayed significant improvements in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Conclusions: In line with the current Chinese primary healthcare reform, this study is the first large-scale cluster RCT to be implemented within real-world CHSs in China, specifically addressing T2DM. Although a differential treatment effect was not observed for HbA1c, numerous outcomes (including HbA1c) improved in both groups, supporting the establishment of regular, free clinical health checks for people with T2DM in China. Trial registration number: ISRCTN01010526; Preresults.
- Authors: Browning, Colette , Chapman, Anna , Yang, Hui , Liu, Shuo , Zhang, Tuohong , Enticott, Joanne , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMJ Open Vol. 6, no. 3 (2016), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a coach-led motivational interviewing (MI) intervention in improving glycaemic control, as well as clinical, psychosocial and self-care outcomes of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with usual care. Design: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT). Setting: Community Health Stations (CHSs) in Fengtai district, Beijing, China. Participants: Of the 41 randomised CHSs (21 intervention and 20 control), 21 intervention CHSs (372 participants) and 18 control CHSs (296 participants) started participation. Intervention: Intervention participants received telephone and face-to-face MI health coaching in addition to usual care from their CHS. Control participants received usual care only. Medical fees were waived for both groups. Outcome measures: Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcome measure was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary outcomes included a suite of anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood, psychosocial and self-care measures. Results: At 12 months, no differential treatment effect was found for HbA1c (adjusted difference 0.02, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.44, p=0.929), with both treatment and control groups showing significant improvements. However, two secondary outcomes: psychological distress (adjusted difference -2.38, 95% CI -4.64 to -0.12, p=0.039) and systolic BP (adjusted difference -3.57, 95% CI -6.08 to -1.05, p=0.005) were robust outcomes consistent with significant differential treatment effects, as supported in sensitivity analyses. Interestingly, in addition to HbA1c, both groups displayed significant improvements in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Conclusions: In line with the current Chinese primary healthcare reform, this study is the first large-scale cluster RCT to be implemented within real-world CHSs in China, specifically addressing T2DM. Although a differential treatment effect was not observed for HbA1c, numerous outcomes (including HbA1c) improved in both groups, supporting the establishment of regular, free clinical health checks for people with T2DM in China. Trial registration number: ISRCTN01010526; Preresults.
Non-communicable diseases and cognitive impairment : pathways and shared behavioral risk factors among older Chinese
- Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (Oct 2019), p. 7
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- Description: Population aging has brought about a number of challenges to public health and primary health care systems due to increases in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As a country with one of the largest populations globally, China is confronting a rising number of chronic NCDs including cardiometabolic related conditions. This mini-review investigates the link between NCDs and cognitive impairment through common risk factors. Identifying risk factors is important for the prevention and management of these chronic conditions. In addition, this review also identifies the role of primary health care services in reducing behavioral risk factors for NCDs and cognitive impairment. Addressing shared determinants and pathways is important in the design of public health interventions and primary health care services in China. Monitoring and management of NCD biomarkers and behavioral risk factors may also be beneficial for cognitive health among older Chinese.
- Authors: Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (Oct 2019), p. 7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Population aging has brought about a number of challenges to public health and primary health care systems due to increases in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As a country with one of the largest populations globally, China is confronting a rising number of chronic NCDs including cardiometabolic related conditions. This mini-review investigates the link between NCDs and cognitive impairment through common risk factors. Identifying risk factors is important for the prevention and management of these chronic conditions. In addition, this review also identifies the role of primary health care services in reducing behavioral risk factors for NCDs and cognitive impairment. Addressing shared determinants and pathways is important in the design of public health interventions and primary health care services in China. Monitoring and management of NCD biomarkers and behavioral risk factors may also be beneficial for cognitive health among older Chinese.
Older women in australia : facing the challenges of dual sensory loss
- Heine, Chyrisse, Gong, Cathy, Feldman, Susan, Browning, Colette
- Authors: Heine, Chyrisse , Gong, Cathy , Feldman, Susan , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 17, no. 1 (2020), p.
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- Description: With the increase in longevity, the number of women living into old age is rising and higher than that of men. Data was derived from the Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Healthy Ageing Program, which included 533 women and 467 men aged 65 years and older, in Australia, over 10 years. Logistic regression modeling was used to investigate the prevalence of dual sensory loss and the unmet needs for vision and hearing devices in older women (compared to men) over time, as well as its impacts on self-reported general health, depression, perceived social activities, community service use and ageing in place. Results suggested that the prevalence of dual sensory loss increased for women from the age of 75 years and over. Dual sensory loss was higher for older women and men who were living alone, with government benefits as their main income source or were divorced, separated or widowed. Dual sensory loss had significant impacts on poor general health, perceived inadequate social activities and community service use for women and men and on depression for women only. Early identification of dual sensory loss is essential to minimize its effects, ensuring continued well-being for this population. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Heine, Chyrisse , Gong, Cathy , Feldman, Susan , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 17, no. 1 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the increase in longevity, the number of women living into old age is rising and higher than that of men. Data was derived from the Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Healthy Ageing Program, which included 533 women and 467 men aged 65 years and older, in Australia, over 10 years. Logistic regression modeling was used to investigate the prevalence of dual sensory loss and the unmet needs for vision and hearing devices in older women (compared to men) over time, as well as its impacts on self-reported general health, depression, perceived social activities, community service use and ageing in place. Results suggested that the prevalence of dual sensory loss increased for women from the age of 75 years and over. Dual sensory loss was higher for older women and men who were living alone, with government benefits as their main income source or were divorced, separated or widowed. Dual sensory loss had significant impacts on poor general health, perceived inadequate social activities and community service use for women and men and on depression for women only. Early identification of dual sensory loss is essential to minimize its effects, ensuring continued well-being for this population. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Perspectives on the training of Chinese Primary Health Care Physicians to reduce chronic illnesses and their burden
- Sun, Wenmin, Li, Yang, Hu, Yitting, Rao, Xin, Xu, Xingzhi, Browning, Colette, Thomas, Shane
- Authors: Sun, Wenmin , Li, Yang , Hu, Yitting , Rao, Xin , Xu, Xingzhi , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (2019), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper is a commentary on the training of Chinese Primary Health Care Doctors to reduce chronic illness and its burden. First, we will consider the policy position of the Chinese government concerning the development of a competent and enlarged primary physician workforce to deliver the proposed primary health care system reforms. We then turn to a review of the drivers of the high burden of chronic illnesses especially in older people in China. We argue that the curriculum for the training of primary health care medical practitioners should match the demonstrated high prevalence chronic illnesses and their risk factors and that there needs to specific competencies in prevention and mitigation of the diseases and their risk factors.
- Authors: Sun, Wenmin , Li, Yang , Hu, Yitting , Rao, Xin , Xu, Xingzhi , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (2019), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper is a commentary on the training of Chinese Primary Health Care Doctors to reduce chronic illness and its burden. First, we will consider the policy position of the Chinese government concerning the development of a competent and enlarged primary physician workforce to deliver the proposed primary health care system reforms. We then turn to a review of the drivers of the high burden of chronic illnesses especially in older people in China. We argue that the curriculum for the training of primary health care medical practitioners should match the demonstrated high prevalence chronic illnesses and their risk factors and that there needs to specific competencies in prevention and mitigation of the diseases and their risk factors.