The long-term personal impact for Christchurch earthquake victims is to be researched to establish the levels of psychological distress in the region, and allow for the development of policies and plans to mitigate the personal impact of further natural disasters.
The study will be part of the on-going Christchurch Health and Development Study, by Professor David Fergusson from the University of Otago, Christchurch, which has been following 1,265 children born in Christchurch in 1977 through to the current day – capturing a wealth of information about their health and wellbeing.
“This study will be unique, because we have so much information on how the participants were before the quake – information that would never normally be available after a natural disaster. Around half of the study cohort was not in Christchurch at the time of the quake, allowing vital comparisons to be made between those that directly experienced the disaster and those that did not,” explains Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Chief Executive, Dr Robin Olds.
The HRC supports the study and is allocating Government funds to extend the research into this important area.
This research will provide information about the extent to which people who are exposed to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, are at increased risk of adverse psychosocial outcomes, and will facilitate the development of policies and plans for service provision in the likely event that further significant natural disasters occur.
2011 HRC annual funding round results
The HRC processed 173 full applications for four different types of awards and will offer 52 contracts to the successful applicants. Project proposals were processed through a two-stage process beginning with 387 Expressions of Interest leading to 127 full applications assessed in the second stage. Successful applications were chosen by an assessment process involving national and international expert referees, detailed discussion by Science Assessing Committees, and further review by the Grant Approval Committee before final approval by the HRC Board. The total value of new research to be undertaken within universities, research institutes and District Health Boards is $74.56 million (excluding GST).
For more information about the above research programme, please contact the researcher as outlined below.
Professor David Fergusson, University of Otago, Christchurch, phone (03) 372 0406 ext 85442
The Christchurch Health and Development Study - Birth to 35 Years
60 months, $3,914,157