Developing a novel method for delivering a behavioural intervention for decreasing morbidity in women with a chronic disease: a randomized controlled trial (The Women’s Wellness Program)
Funded by 2008 Australian Research Council Linkage Project
Professor Debra Anderson 
Project Director; Director of Postgraduate Studies, School of Nursing
Professor Patsy Yates School of Nursing; Acting Director Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education
Dr Jacqui Jones Director of Centre for Research into Nursing and Health Care, the Prince Charles Hospital
Associate Professor Nuala Byrne , School of Human Movement Studies
Currently there are 209.8 deaths from heart, stroke and vascular diseases per 100 000 of the Australian female population each year, with the rates being considerably high in the elderly female population. Despite the potential benefits of behavioural strategies to prevent morbidity in women with chronic disease, studies to date have not targeted women who already have a chronic disease in a clinical setting. This research study will address this, helping postmenopausal women who have chronic disease change negative health behaviours and increase physical activity and self efficacy, improve quality of life and decrease blood pressure, obesity and tobacco use.
Japanese women have the lowest incidence globally of CVD and diabetes while cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in postmenopausal Australian women. Research has identified that significant differences exist between Australian and Japanese postmenopausal women in modifiable chronic disease risk factors. Using a randomised controlled trial, this study will examine the relative efficacy of a novel behavioural intervention which will incorporate these identifiable lifestyle differences in comparison to standard care in a clinical population. Outcomes will include decreased morbidity in Australian women which will decrease health care costs and enhance quality of life.
Contact Project Director Professor Debra Anderson Email dj.anderson@qut.edu.au
Further Information:
Online publications
- The Menopause Made Simple Program, Anderson, D; Graham, V., 2002: http://www.ebooks.com/ebooks/book_display.asp?IID=128367
. - Anderson, Debra J. and Mirzaiinajmabadi, Khadegh and Kain, Victoria J. and Webster, Joan (2006) The Effects of a Multimodal Intervention Trial to Promote Lifestyle Factors Associated With the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Menopausal and Postmenopausal Australian Women. Health Care for Women International 27(3):pp. 238-253.
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