Adapt an evidence-based healthy lifestyle program to an Australian context

Summary The goal of this program of research is to identify what information young people with cerebral palsy need, and how best to provide this education in order for them to live a healthy and happy life. This work sits within the NHMRC funded Centre for Research Excellence 'CP-Achieve' program, and aims to develop and test a consumer-informed evidence-based healthy lifestyle program.

Project Details

Young people with developmental disability may experience long term social, physical and mental health issues that impact on their life participation and ability to live a healthy life. The transition period from childhood to adulthood provides an opportunity to develop self-management skills and assume greater independence, with or without some assistance. However, we don't know how best to support the development of self-efficacy, health literacy and participation skills in young people with cerebral palsy in Australia, to enable them to make good choices and live a healthy life. There are some 'lifestyle programs' available in other countries, but we don't know if they will meet the needs of young people with cerebral palsy living in Australia.

The goal of this program of research is to identify what information young people with cerebral palsy need, and how best to provide this education in order for them to live a healthy and happy life. This work sits within the NHMRC funded Centre for Research Excellence 'CP-Achieve' program, and aims to develop and test a consumer-informed evidence-based healthy lifestyle program.   

There is an opportunity for a doctoral student within this program of work. We hope to recruit a high-quality allied health, nursing, psychology or medical professional into this PhD position and experience in disability is desirable.