Sensory Impairment and Chronic Disease Group

Projects

• In the Blue Mountains Hearing Study we are documenting a number of novel risk or protective lifestyle factors as well as the health impacts (such as quality of life, depression and functional independence) associated with age-related hearing loss and olfactory (smell) loss. Additionally, we are assessing the impacts of dual sensory impairment (presence of hearing and vision loss) on survival, quality of life, and functional independence. 
• Childhood population-based studies (funded by NHMRC and National Heart Foundation of Australia) conducted by the Sensory Impairment and Chronic Disease Group is examining whether risk factors such as sedentary behaviour (extensive ‘sitting’ time, including TV viewing), low levels of physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns are associated with differences in the small vessels in the retina in children. 
• We are investigating the associations between key macro- and micro-nutrients and food groups (fruits, vegetables, breads/ cereals) with vascular risk factors (obesity, blood pressure) in children from preschool to high school. This project is partly funded by Dairy Australia to investigate the links between dairy food intake and key health outcomes including obesity and quality of life during childhood and adolescence.
• Using the BMES dataset, the Sensory Impairment and Chronic Disease Group at the Centre for Vision Research has and still continues to provide novel community-based evidence on health determinants (e.g. diet, exercise, and smoking) and health outcomes (quality of life, depression, functional independence) of chronic diseases including hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, cognitive impairment, coronary heart disease and stroke.