Research

Our role

The AHA has three roles in research.

The first is to identify relevant journals and new research papers in the field of hepatology and to provide links to these where possible. This information is delivered to members online and in forums including the AHA Summit.

The second is to encourage member collaboration when it comes to research including fostering research skills, how to critique research, understanding statistics and seeking sources of funding. These research skills will be facilitated through our mentoring program and education events.

The third is to facilitate research nationally by flagging ideas with governments and corporations and influencing the allocation of research grants. This role is facilitated by AHA representation on state and national committees.

National Hepatitis C Needs Assessment – closed June 2008. Results due out May 2009.

Hepatitis Australia is conducting the National Hepatitis C Needs Assessment, which will focus on identifying the information, education and support needs of people living with hepatitis C. The results of the needs assessment will help to guide the delivery of education and support services targeting people living with hepatitis C, that operate through Hepatitis Councils and other community organisations throughout Australia.

If you would like more information on the Needs Assessment, please contact Jacqui Richmond – Needs Assessment Project Officer (mailto:www.hepatitisaustralia.com or 03 9288 3586).

The AHA looks forward to updating members on the outcome of this needs assessment.

Relevant research

'B Positive - all you wanted to know about hepatitis B: a guide for primary care providers' Published 18 May 2008. Available for download from www.ashm.org.au/b-positive/. Review of 'B Positive' by Professor Graham Cooksley available at www.ashm.org.au/news/324/14/

HCV Research Register - The Australian Hepatitis C Research Register index page for ongoing projects on Virological and Immunological Research http://health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-hiv_hepc-hepc-register-virolog_ongoing.htm

National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSR) - The National Centre in HIV Social Research conducts research which describes and analyses the social understandings, meanings and practices of peoples, institutions and communities in relation to HIV, Hepatitis C and other communicable diseases http://nchsr.arts.unsw.edu.au/

National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR) – The Centre undertakes research that focuses on epidemiology, clinical research and clinical trials in the field of HIV/AIDS and other blood bornre viruses, particularly hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infections www.nchecr.unsw.edu.au

Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society - www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs

Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH2) (formerly the National Centre for HIV Virology Research) - The National Centre for HIV Virology Research is in the process of being re-organised into the new Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH2), which is to be a broadly inclusive, collaborative national virology research organization focused on HIV and Hepatitis C www.hiv.edu.au

Clinical trials information
Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry www.anzctr.org.au/Default.aspx