Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Public Health and Social Work

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Healthcare Transformation

Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation

Supervisors

Dr David Brain
Position
Senior Lecturer in Health Management
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

External supervisors

  • Prof Louisa Collins, QIMR Berghofer
  • A/Prof David Frazer

Overview

Iron is an essential mineral nutrient for human health. Iron deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough mineral iron and this can be caused by inadequate dietary intake of iron, malabsorption, increased iron requirements (such as in pregnancy) or as a comorbidity to an underlying condition. Untreated, iron deficiency is associated with impaired development in children, adverse effects on cognitive and physical performance in adults, and poorer maternal and infant outcomes in pregnancy. Very little research is available on the health system costs of iron deficiency in Australia and this project aims to describe and quantify this burden based on readily-available information sources.

No funding is currently attached to the project.

Research engagement

Scoping literature review and analysis, quantitative research methods, scientific writing

Research activities

Literature searches, data management and synthesis, descriptive statistics, working with data analysts, health economists and scientists

Outcomes

Aim: To understand and quantify the economic burden of iron deficiency to the Australian health system.

Methods: This project involves a literature search and scoping review of the evidence on the health and economic consequences of iron deficiency, specifically to the health system. Informed by the literature searches, an estimation of costs using population attributable fractions or other suitable costing method will be employed if feasible.  The project will be working with researchers at the Health Economics and Molecular Nutrition labs at QIMRB.

Skills and experience

The ideal candidate will have good quantitative skills ie statistical/mathematical skills, excellent written communication, an interest in public health and economic burden, ability to synthesize and summarise data succinctly, attention to detail and working methodically and efficiently.

Start date

1 November, 2024

End date

21 February, 2025

Location

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Additional information

A work station will be provided at QIMRB, access to research seminars and networking with population health researchers and students

Keywords

Contact

Louisa Collins  louisa.collins@qimrberghofer.edu.au