Profiles
Kira Patterson
Kira Patterson
Lecturer in Health Pedagogy
Program Director – Honours (Education)
Room G216 , Building G
Dr Kira Patterson is a Lecturer in Health Pedagogy at the School of Education in the College of Arts, Law and Education. Kira is also the current Program Director of the Honours (Education) degree. She has a background in life course epidemiology and her research focuses on the role of physical activity in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases. More recently, Kira’s work has focused on bringing the education and health sectors together to improve health literacy. Kira is particularly interested in how we can better integrate health into physical education, and other learning areas of the Australian Curriculum, to develop health literacy of young people.
Biography
Kira completed a Bachelor of Human Movement with Honours in 2011 at the University of Tasmania and has previously taught Health and Physical Education in a range of Tasmanian schools.
In 2012, Kira commenced her PhD at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, examining urban-rural differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors across the life course. Her studies used data from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) study, an ongoing longitudinal study of participants from the 1985 Australian School Health and Fitness Survey (ASHFS).
In 2015, Kira was appointed to her current role (Lecturer in Health Pedagogy) at the University of Tasmania, and she continues to work on local and national research projects across both the education and health sectors. Kira teaches all health pedagogy/health education units in the Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education) program and is currently the President of the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) Tasmanian Branch. In 2020, Kira was appointed Program Director for the Honours (Education) degree to provide current and future Honours students with an exciting, vibrant, and robust research opportunity.
Career summary
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Tasmania, Australia, 2017. Thesis: Understanding urban-rural differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors across the life course.
- Grad Cert (Research), University of Tasmania, Australia, 2017.
- BHM (1st Class Honours), University of Tasmania, Australia, 2011. Thesis: Domain-specific physical activities and area of residence among children and adults.
Memberships
Professional practice
- President - Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) Tasmanian Branch
- Member - Sport, Physical Activity and Active Recreation in Tasmanian Schools (SPRINTS) Committee
- Member - Tasmanian Active Living Coalition (TALC)
- Member – School of Education Research Committee
Teaching
Health; Health Pedagogy; Public Health
Teaching expertise
Kira has experience in face-to-face, online and blended approaches to learning and teaching. Kira’s teaching expertise is in Health and Physical Education, Health Pedagogy, Health Literacy, Health Promotion, Safety and Risk Management and Research Methods (Health and Education)
Teaching responsibility
View more on Dr Kira Patterson in WARP
Expertise
Kira uses a range of quantitative research methods to examine the role of physical activity in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases. Her work specifically targets groups at high risk of inactivity and obesity including those living in regional/rural communities and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Kira also has expertise in life course epidemiology, specifically focusing on the early years through to mid-adulthood. She has experience working in a range of community settings through various research projects and the implementation of community-based health interventions. Her research has been used by the National Heart Foundation of Australia to help inform actions for disadvantaged populations in the Blueprint for an Active Australia.
Areas of research expertise include:
- Physical activity
- Obesity
- Life course epidemiology
- Health literacy
- Health Education
Awards
- 2011 Heart Foundation Tasmania/Menzies Research Institute Tasmania Honours Scholarship. Awarded $10,000 for research into cardiovascular disease.
Fields of Research
- Health promotion (420603)
- Epidemiology (420299)
- Physical education and development curriculum and pedagogy (390111)
- Community child health (420601)
- Primary health care (420319)
- Gender, sexuality and education (390406)
- Social determinants of health (420606)
- Health equity (420602)
- Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (390110)
- Early childhood education (390302)
- Exercise physiology (420702)
- Health and community services (420305)
- Teacher education and professional development of educators (390307)
- Creative arts, media and communication curriculum and pedagogy (390101)
- Preventative health care (420605)
- Health services and systems (420399)
- Public health (420699)
Research Objectives
- Health education and promotion (200203)
- Behaviour and health (200401)
- Teacher and instructor development (160303)
- Primary education (160103)
- Neonatal and child health (200506)
- Overweight and obesity (200411)
- Women's and maternal health (200509)
- Rural and remote area health (200508)
- Equity and access to education (160201)
- Preventive medicine (200412)
- Prevention of human diseases and conditions (200104)
- Determinants of health (200201)
- Expanding knowledge in creative arts and writing studies (280122)
- Other education and training (169999)
- Other health (209999)
- Early childhood education (160101)
- Secondary education (160105)
- Health inequalities (200204)
- Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) (200599)
- Public health (excl. specific population health) (200499)
Publications
Total publications
38
Journal Article
(24 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jayasinghe S, Holloway TP, Soward R, Patterson KAE, Ahuja KDK, et al., ''An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure': Proposal for a Social Prescribing Strategy for Obesity Prevention and Improvement in Health and Well-being', JMIR Research Protocols pp. 1-12. ISSN 1929-0748 (2023) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.2196/41280 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Jayasinghe S; Holloway TP; Soward R; Ahuja KDK; Dalton L; Murray S; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe S, Flies EJ, Soward R, Kendal D, Kilpatrick M, et al., 'Physical activity and food environments in and around schools: a case study in regional North-West Tasmania', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, (10) Article 6238. ISSN 1660-4601 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106238 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2 Co-authors: Jayasinghe S; Flies EJ; Soward R; Kendal D; Kilpatrick M; Cleland V; Holloway TP; Murray S; Ahuja KDK; Hughes R; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe S, Soward R, Dalton L, Holloway TP, Murray S, et al., 'Domains of capacity building in whole-systems approaches to Prevent Obesity-A 'Systematized' Review', International Journal of Integrated Care, 19, (17) Article 10997. ISSN 1568-4156 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710997 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Jayasinghe S; Soward R; Dalton L; Holloway TP; Murray S; Ahuja KDK; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Jayasinghe SU, Soward RI, Holloway TP, Patterson KAE, Ahuja KDK, et al., 'Why some do but too many don't? Barriers and enablers to physical activity in regional Tasmania - an exploratory, mixed-methods study', BMC Public Health, 22 Article 627. ISSN 1471-2458 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13001-6 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Jayasinghe SU; Soward RI; Holloway TP; Ahuja KDK; Hughes R; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2022 | Me P, Eady MJ, Okely AD, Patterson K, Batterham M, et al., 'A blended professional learning intervention for early childhood educators to target the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating: the HOPPEL cluster randomized stepped-wedge trial', Bmc Public Health, 22, (1353) pp. 1-10. ISSN 1471-2458 (2022) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2022 | Melwani S, Cleland V, Patterson KAE, Nash R, 'Health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania', Health Promotion Journal of Australia pp. 1-11. ISSN 2201-1617 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/hpja.675 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Melwani S; Cleland V; Nash R | |
| 2022 | Otten C, Nash R, Patterson K, 'HealthLit4Kids: teacher experiences of health literacy professional development in an Australian primary school setting', Health Promotion International pp. 1-17. ISSN 0957-4824 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac053 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Otten C; Nash R | |
| 2022 | Otten C, Nash R, Patterson K, 'Professional development in health education for primary school teachers: a systematised review of the literature', Professional Development in Education pp. 1-23. ISSN 1941-5257 (2022) [Refereed Article] Co-authors: Otten C; Nash R | |
| 2022 | Thomas J, Cruickshank V, Patterson K, 'Segregation and success in Tasmanian primary school sport carnivals', Sport, Education and Society, 2 ISSN 1357-3322 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/13573322.2022.2076666 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Thomas J; Cruickshank V | |
| 2022 | Thomas Katy, Nash R, Patterson K, Swabey K, 'Dad taught me nothing about relationships and sexuality: how contemporary Australian fathers became sex ed dads', Culture, Health and Sexuality pp. 1-17. ISSN 1369-1058 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2038798 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Thomas Katy; Nash R; Swabey K | |
| 2021 | Jayasinghe S, Flies EJ, Soward R, Kendal D, Kilpatrick M, et al., 'A spatial analysis of access to physical activity infrastructure and healthy food in regional Tasmania', Frontiers in Public Health, 9 pp. 1-13. ISSN 2296-2565 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.773609 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Jayasinghe S; Flies EJ; Soward R; Kendal D; Kilpatrick M; Holloway TP; Ahuja KDK; Hughes R; Byrne NM; Hills AP | |
| 2021 | MacDonald AJ, Cruickshank V, Nash RE, Patterson KAE, 'Contemplating [en]active curriculum: becoming health literate through Arts and HPE interconnection', Curriculum Perspectives, 41, (1) pp. 119-124. ISSN 2367-1793 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s41297-020-00129-x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4 Co-authors: MacDonald AJ; Cruickshank V; Nash RE | |
| 2021 | Melwani S, Cleland V, Patterson K, Nash R, 'A scoping review: global health literacy interventions for pregnant women and mothers with young children', Health Promotion International pp. 1-35. ISSN 0957-4824 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab047 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Melwani S; Cleland V; Nash R | |
| 2021 | Nash R, Patterson K, Flittner A, Elmer S, Osborne R, 'School-based health literacy programs for children (2-16 years): An international review', Journal of School Health, 91, (8) pp. 632-649. ISSN 0022-4391 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/josh.13054 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 13 Co-authors: Nash R; Flittner A; Elmer S | |
| 2021 | Thomas K, Patterson K, Nash Rose, Swabey K, 'What have dads got to do with it? Australian fathers' perspectives on communicating with their young children about relationships and sexuality', Sex Education ISSN 1468-1811 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2021.1908249 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Thomas K; Nash Rose; Swabey K | |
| 2021 | Thomas Katy, Patterson K, Nash R, Swabey K, 'Sex Ed Dads: what Australian fathers want their teens to know about relationships and sexuality', Sex Education pp. 1-18. ISSN 1468-1811 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2021.1951197 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Thomas Katy; Nash R; Swabey K | |
| 2020 | Cruickshank V, Hyndman B, Patterson K, Kebble P, 'Encounters in a marginalised subject: the experiential challenges faced by Tasmanian Health and Physical Education teachers', Australian Journal of Education pp. 1-17. ISSN 0004-9441 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1177/0004944120934964 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Cruickshank V | |
| 2020 | Jayasinghe S, Byrne NM, Patterson KAE, Ahuja KDK, Hills AP, 'The current global state of movement and physical activity - the health and economic costs of the inactive phenotype', Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 64 pp. 9-16. ISSN 0033-0620 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.10.006 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Jayasinghe S; Byrne NM; Ahuja KDK; Hills AP | |
| 2020 | Patterson KAE, Ferrar K, Gall SL, Venn A, Blizzard L, et al., 'Cluster patterns of behavioural risk factors among children: longitudinal associations with adult cardio-metabolic risk factors', Preventive Medicine, 130 Article 105861. ISSN 0091-7435 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105861 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: Gall SL; Venn A; Blizzard L; Dwyer T; Cleland VJ | |
| 2019 | Tian J, Gall S, Patterson K, Otahal P, Blizzard L, et al., 'Socioeconomic position over the life course from childhood and smoking status in mid-adulthood: results from a 25-year follow-up study', BMC Public Health, 19, (1) Article 169. ISSN 1471-2458 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6483-0 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 13Web of Science - 12 Co-authors: Tian J; Gall S; Otahal P; Blizzard L; Dwyer T; Venn A | |
| 2018 | Cleland VJ, Patterson K, Breslin M, Schmidt MD, Dwyer T, et al., 'Longitudinal associations between TV viewing and BMI not explained by the 'mindless eating' or 'physical activity displacement' hypotheses among adults', BMC Public Health, 18, (1) Article 797. ISSN 1471-2458 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5674-4 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 16Web of Science - 15 Co-authors: Cleland VJ; Breslin M; Venn AJ | |
| 2018 | Nash RE, Elmer SL, Patterson K, Mainsbridge C, Gall SL, et al., 'HealthLit4Kids: Responding to a gap in health literacy education', The Health Advocate, April 2018 pp. 34-35. ISSN 2200-8659 (2018) [Professional, Refereed Article] Co-authors: Nash RE; Elmer SL; Mainsbridge C; Gall SL; Abbott-Chapman J | |
| 2017 | Patterson KAE, Gall SL, Venn AJ, Otahal P, Blizzard L, et al., 'Accumulated exposure to rural areas of residence over the life course is associated with overweight and obesity in adulthood: a 25-year prospective cohort study', Annals of Epidemiology, 27, (3) pp. 169-175. ISSN 1047-2797 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.01.007 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 15 Co-authors: Gall SL; Venn AJ; Otahal P; Blizzard L; Dwyer T; Cleland V | |
| 2014 | Patterson KAE, Cleland V, Venn A, Blizzard L, Gall S, 'A cross-sectional study of geographic differences in health risk factors among young Australian adults: The role of socioeconomic position', Bmc Public Health, 14 Article 1278. ISSN 1471-2458 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1278 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 19 Co-authors: Cleland V; Venn A; Blizzard L; Gall S |
Conference Publication
(8 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Cruickshank V, Patterson K, Mainsbridge C, 'Pre-service teacher perceptions of teaching health education online', The 2022 International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education World Congress, 15-18 June 2022, Gold Coast, Australia, pp. 1-13. (2022) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Cruickshank V; Mainsbridge C | |
| 2021 | Nash R, Kemp N, Elmer S, Patterson K, Wyss M, et al., 'Co-designing health literacy responsive schools in Tasmania, Australia', Global Health Literacy Summit 2021, 3-5 October 2021, virtual (2021) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Nash R; Kemp N; Elmer S; Roach J | |
| 2021 | Nash R, Patterson K, Cruickshank V, Otten C, Melwani S, et al., 'HealthLit4Kids: A professional development program to improve teachers' health literacy knowledge, skills and experience', Global Health Literacy Summit, 3-5 October 2021, virtual (2021) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Nash R; Cruickshank V; Otten C; Melwani S; Elmer S | |
| 2020 | Mainsbridge C, Cruickshank V, Patterson K, 'A Work-Integrated Learning model to enhance the readiness and self-efficacy of pre-service HPE teachers', Australia Association for Research in Education (AARE) HPE SIG Online Conference 2020, 3 December, Online (2020) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Mainsbridge C; Cruickshank V | |
| 2019 | Mainsbridge C, Nash R, Elmer S, Patterson K, Cruickshank V, et al., 'HealthLit4Kids Animation: inclusive and informed participants', Engagement Transforms 2019 (ET19), 6 September, Hobart, Tasmania (2019) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Mainsbridge C; Nash R; Elmer S; Cruickshank V; McDonald A; Burke E; Dick R | |
| 2019 | Nash R, Patterson K, Burke E, Elmer S, Mainsbridge C, et al., 'HealthLit4Kids: Promoting Health Literacy in Tasmanian Primary Schools- Capturing, Curating and Evaluating Health Literacy Artefacts', Engagement Transforms 2019 (ET19), 6 September 2019, Hobart, Tasmania (2019) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Nash R; Burke E; Elmer S; Mainsbridge C; Gall S; Shelley B; Ollington N | |
| 2018 | Cruickshank V, Mainsbridge C, Patterson K, Grasten A, Pedersen S, 'Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education program', Teaching Matters 2018, 21 November 2018, Launceston, Tasmania (2018) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Cruickshank V; Mainsbridge C; Grasten A; Pedersen S | |
| 2018 | Nash R, Elmer S, Osborne R, Patterson K, 'HealthLit4Kids: A primary school program, crossing boundaries for positive health literacy outcomes', CAPHIA Public Health Teaching & Learning Forum in Cairns, 24-25 September 2018, Cairns, Australia (2018) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Nash R; Elmer S |
Other Public Output
(6 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Cruickshank V, Thomas J, Patterson K, 'How the inequality in sport flows through to health', Health and Hygeine, Education Australia Resource Guide, Australia, March 2023, pp. 116-117. (2023) [Magazine Article] Co-authors: Cruickshank V; Thomas J | |
| 2022 | Cruickshank V, Thomas J, Patterson K, 'Richer schools' students run faster: how the inequality in sport flows through to health', The Conversation, The Conversation Paperpress Ltd, United Kingdom, 11 July 2022 (2022) [Magazine Article] Co-authors: Cruickshank V; Thomas J | |
| 2020 | Nash R, Cruickshank V, Patterson K, Kemp N, Elmer S, 'CSIRO ON PRIME Facilitators Performance Bonus $2000: Healthlit4Kids Team' (2020) [Award] Co-authors: Nash R; Cruickshank V; Kemp N; Elmer S | |
| 2019 | Nash R, Elmer SL, Patterson KAE, Mainsbridge C, Burke EK, et al., 'Finalist: Betta Milk Make It Betta' Health Achievement Award' (2019) [Award] Co-authors: Nash R; Elmer SL; Mainsbridge C; Burke EK; Cruickshank V; MacDonald AJ; Kemp NM; Smith KJ; Kelly RK; Flittner AC; Otten CE | |
| 2018 | Cruickshank V, Mainsbridge CP, Patterson K, 'How much physical activity should teenagers do, and how can they get enough?', The Conversation, Victoria, Australia, December (2018) [Magazine Article] Co-authors: Cruickshank V; Mainsbridge CP | |
| 2018 | Pedersen SJ, Mainsbridge C, Patterson KAE, 'UTAS forum puts preventative health back on the agenda', The Examiner, Fairfax Regional Media, Australia, 20 June 2018 (2018) [Newspaper Article] Co-authors: Pedersen SJ; Mainsbridge C |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
8
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- 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.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($74,500)
- Scheme
- Grant-Innovation Impact Fund
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Nash RE; Cruickshank V; Patterson KAE; Kemp NM; Reid DM; MacDonald AJ; Elmer SL
- Year
- 2022
- Description
- 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.
- Funding
- Launceston Church Grammar School ($67,500)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Pitchford NW; Byrne N; Mainsbridge C; Patterson KAE
- Period
- 2020 - 2022
- Description
- 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.
- Funding
- Medical Research Future Fund ($2,400,000)
- Scheme
- Grant - Keeping Australians Out of Hospital
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Vickers JC; Hills AP; Goldberg LR; Byrne N; Farrow M; Hughes RM; Klekociuk SZ; Ahuja KDK; Courtney-Pratt HM; Patterson KAE
- Period
- 2019 - 2021
- Description
- 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 MeasuresStage 2: Health literacy workshops & Classroom activitiesStage 3: Evaluation, Reporting & Dissemination
- Funding
- Tasmanian Community Fund ($89,794)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Nash RE; Elmer SL; Patterson KAE; Mainsbridge C; Abbott-Chapman J; Gall SL
- Period
- 2018 - 2019
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($19,468)
- Scheme
- Grant - CALE Hothouse Alignment Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Patterson KAE; Mainsbridge C; Hookway NS; Abbott-Chapman J; Nash RE; Elmer SL; Gall SL; Shelley B; Gibson AC
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- This project aimed to measure the impact of Work-Integrated Learning in the Bachelor of Education Health and Physical Education programme.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($8,500)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Mainsbridge C; Cruickshank V; Patterson KAE; Grasten A; Pedersen SJ
- Year
- 2017
- Description
- 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.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($9,912)
- Scheme
- Creativity, Culture & Society Research Development
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Nash RE; Elmer SL; Abbott-Chapman J; Gall SL; Mainsbridge C; Patterson KAE
- Year
- 2017
- Funding
- The Select Foundation ($6,520)
- Scheme
- Grant-Small Grants Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Patterson KAE; Cleland V; Gall SL; Venn A
- Year
- 2012
Research Supervision
Current
2
Completed
1
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Workloads in Adolescent Athletes: How much is too much? | 2019 |
| PhD | Codesigning Health Literacy Solutions with Pregnant Women and Mothers in Tasmania to Reduce the Intergenerational Impact of Non-communicable Diseases | 2019 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Sex Ed Dads: A mixed methods study of Australian fathers' perspectives on relationships and sexuality education for their young children Candidate: Katy Michelle Thomas | 2022 |