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Children need rich language learning experiences in school to build language and reading skills. Research suggests that various effective ways to support teacher provision of these experiences. The Classroom Promotion of Oral Language cluster randomized controlled trial (n = 1,360 students; 687 intervention, 673 control) examined whether a teacher professional learning intervention targeting oral language in the first years of school led to improved student outcomes compared to usual teaching practices. The intervention comprised face-to-face professional learning and ongoing support. The primary outcome was student reading ability at Grade 3; secondary outcomes included oral language, reading, and mental health at Grades 1 and 3. No differences were detected between the intervention and control arms. Implications of results and future directions are explored.

This systematic review investigated small-group Tier 2 interventions to improve oral language or reading outcomes for children during preschool and early primary school years. Literature published from 2008 was searched and 152 papers selected for full-text review; 55 studies were included. Three strength of evidence assessment tools identified a shortlist of six interventions with relatively strong evidence: (a) Early Reading Intervention; (b) Lonigan and Philips (2016) Unnamed needs-aligned intervention; (c) PHAB+WIST (PHAST)/PHAB+RAVE-O; (d) Read Well-Aligned intervention; (e) Ryder and colleagues' (2008) Unnamed Phonological Awareness and Phonics intervention; and (f) Story Friends. Investigation of intervention componentry found common characteristics included 3-5 students, 4-5 sessions per week, minimum 11-week duration, content covering a combination of skills, modelling and explicit instruction, and trained personnel. Shortlisted interventions provide a useful foundation to guide further interventions and inform educators and policymakers seeking to implement effective evidence-based interventions in the early years of schooling.

Teacher classroom instructional practice can be a powerful influence on student learning. The Classroom Promotion of Oral Language randomized controlled trial tested whether teacher professional learning focused on promoting oral language in classrooms could improve teacher knowledge and classroom instruction. This study focuses on evaluating the impact of the professional learning on teacher classroom instruction. The nature of classroom talk was used as a means of exploring theories of change and the pathways to practice change. Classroom talk was classified according to its function; organisational, doing, and learning. Teachers from early years classes (first 2 years of school) participated in 4 days of professional learning and received implementation support in their school. Teacher instruction was measured through audio-recordings of classroom talk between teachers and students. The characteristics and proportions of the functions of classroom talk demonstrated by teachers who participated in professional learning (n = 40) and those who did not (n = 38) were compared. Findings indicated no differences in the functions of classroom talk measured with Anstey's type of talk framework following participation in the professional learning; similarities in classroom instruction are discussed and implications for professional learning.

: Objective: This study investigated variations in healthcare expenditure for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in South Australia by socioeconomic position (SEP) and remoteness area. Methods: Benefits incidence analysis (BIA) was used to examine healthcare expenditure and utilisation in relation to CRC patients by SEP and remoteness areas. Utilisation data was obtained for patients diagnosed with CRC in 2003?2013 from a dataset linked to a population?based cancer registry, Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS), Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), hospital and death data. Concentration indices estimated the distribution of health expenditure on MBS, MBS palliative care, PBS and general practitioners. Costs of claims data and length of stay in hospital were used as indicators of healthcare utilisation. Results: The results indicated that MBS palliative healthcare services utilisation favoured the more advantaged groups for both SEP and remoteness area (Concentration index (CI)= 0.1681, t?value=54.42 (SEP) and CI=0.1546, t?value=41.64). MBS expenditure was also favourable to the more advantaged groups (CI: 0.0785 and 0.0493).PBS and MBS general practitioner expenditure were equal (?0.0093 to 0.0250). Conclusion: Overall MBS and PBS healthcare expenditure for CRC patients was close to equality, however utilisation of MBS?funded palliative healthcare services was less concentrated in low SEP and more remote areas. Implications for public health: Whether the differences in palliative healthcare utilisation supplied by private providers are offset by other services requires investigation to determine if there is a need for initiatives to improve equality and give greater support to those who choose to die at home., Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer globally, with Australia having one of the highest incidence rates.[sup.1] Differences exist across populations in incidence and survival from CRC both [...]

Teacher knowledge is a critical factor in student success. In the Classroom Promotion of Oral Language cluster randomized controlled trial, we aimed to determine whether a teacher professional learning intervention focused on promoting oral language led to improved teacher knowledge. We report a study of the impact of professional learning on teacher knowledge of oral language and literacy constructs. The intervention comprised four days of face-to-face professional learning for early years' teachers, and ongoing school implementation support. Teacher knowledge was measured through a survey at baseline, 12 months and 24 months (n = 40 intervention, n = 38 control). Teachers in the intervention arm made more correct responses on survey items than teachers in the control arm, at both time points. The professional learning intervention improved teacher knowledge in the short-to-medium term.

Background: Low language (LL) is a common childhood condition affecting 7-17% of children. It is associated with life-long adverse outcomes and can affect various aspects of a child's life. However, the literature on its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), service use and costs are limited. To date, there has been no systematic review of the overall economic burden of LL. A systematic review regarding the economic burden of LL is important for clinical, educational, policy decision-making and theoretical aspects. We adopted the term 'low language' to refer to children whose language performance falls below well-recognized cut-points regardless of known or unknown aetiology. Aims: To review the literature systematically on how LL is associated with HRQoL, service utilization and costs. Methods & Procedures: A systematic search was conducted across various databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, up to July 2017. Data on study design, population and outcomes were extracted and screened by two pairs of reviewers with the revision of other experts in the panel on any discrepancies. The Effective Public Health Practice Project tool was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. The findings of the included studies were summarized in a narrative synthesis. Outcomes & Results: We identified 22 relevant articles, of which 12 reported HRQoL and 11 reported service utilization and costs associated with LL. Preference-based instruments, which include the relative importance attached to different aspects of HRQoL, were less employed in the literature. Most studies found poorer HRQoL in children with LL compared with their peers. About half the families having children with LL did not actively seek professional help, and many families felt they did not receive sufficient services when needed. Healthcare costs associated with LL were substantial. Non-healthcare costs were largely unexplored. Conclusions & Implications: LL was associated with reduced children's HRQoL, higher service use and costs. Under-servicing was evident in children with LL. LL also imposed large costs on the healthcare system. Further research is required to examine (1) the overall HRQoL of children with LL, in particular studies using and testing the performance of preference-based instruments; and (2) the service use and costs specific to LL, especially non-healthcare costs.

Introduction: The first five years of life is an important developmental period that establishes the foundation for future health and well-being. Mothers play a primary role in providing emotional and physical nourishment during early childhood. This systematic review aims to explore the association between maternal health and child health in the first five years of the child's life. Materials and methods: As primary aims, we systematically synthesised published evidence relating to the first five years of life for associations between maternal health exposures (mental, physical and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and child health outcomes (physical health, mental health, HRQoL and Health Service Use (HSU) /cost). As a secondary aim, we explored how the above associations vary between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged populations. The search was limited to studies that published and collected data from 2010 to 2022. The systematic review was specific to countries with similar health systems to Australia. The search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, GLOBAL HEALTH, and EMBASE databases. The quality of the included studies was assessed by The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. Results: Thirteen articles were included in the final synthesis from the identified 9439 articles in the primary search. Six (46%) explored the association between maternal mental health and child's physical health, two (15%) explored maternal and child's physical health, one (8%) explored maternal and child's mental health, one (8%) explored maternal physical health and child's HRQoL, and three (23%) explored maternal mental health and child's HSU. We found an association between maternal health and child health (physical and mental) and HSU outcomes but no association between maternal health and child's overall HRQoL. The results for disadvantaged communities did not show any difference from the general population. Discussion and conclusion: Our review findings show that maternal health influences the child's health in the first five years. However, the current evidence is limited, and the findings were primarily related to a specific maternal or child's health condition. There was no evidence of associations of child health outcomes in healthy mothers. There is an extensive research gap investigating maternal health exposures and child outcomes in quality of life and overall health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To update a systematic review of the literature on the barriers and enablers of service access and utilization for children and adolescents with a diagnosis, or symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), from the perspective of caregivers, clinicians, and teachers. Methods: Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature published from May 2012 to March 2023. Two independent reviewers completed a two-stage screening process and quality assessment. Results: Of 4,523 search results, 30 studies were included. Five main themes were generated: 1) Awareness of ADHD, 2) Stigma, 3) Parental choice and partnerships, 4) Education services as an integral component, 5) Referrals, waiting times, and logistics. More than half of the studies reported poor acknowledgement, expertise of ADHD, and stigma. Conclusion: Findings highlight the need for ongoing ADHD education for all involved and policy changes to service delivery systems to increase the availability of health providers with specialist ADHD expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asenapine, a novel psychopharmacologic agent in the development for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, has high affinity for serotonergic, α-adrenergic, and dopaminergic receptors, suggesting potential for antipsychotic and cognitive-enhancing properties.The effects of asenapine in rat models of antipsychotic efficacy and cognition were examined and compared with those of olanzapine and risperidone.Amphetamine-stimulated locomotor activity (Amp-LMA; 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg s.c.) and apomorphine-disrupted prepulse inhibition (Apo-PPI; 0.5 mg/kg s.c.) were used as tests for antipsychotic activity. Delayed non-match to place (DNMTP) and five-choice serial reaction (5-CSR) tasks were used to assess short-term spatial memory and attention, respectively. Asenapine doses varied across tasks: Amp-LMA (0.01–0.3 mg/kg s.c.), Apo-PPI (0.001–0.3 mg/kg s.c.), DNMTP (0.01–0.1 mg/kg s.c.), and 5-CSR (0.003–0.3 mg/kg s.c.).Asenapine was highly potent (active at 0.03 mg/kg) in the Amp-LMA and Apo-PPI assays. DNMTP or 5-CSR performance was not improved by asenapine, olanzapine, or risperidone. All agents (P

Aims: ADHD (attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects 5% of children on average. Despite the high need to access services for ADHD treatment, not all children with ADHD utilise healthcare services equally. This study aims to systematically synthesise evidence of equity and equality in health service use/costs and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL)/wellbeing of children with ADHD across socioeconomic (SES) classes. Methods: The literature search was conducted across seven databases (Academic Search complete, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, ERIC, Global Health, CINAHL and EconLit). The search was limited to peer‐reviewed articles published to 23rd January 2023 in English and focused on children. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP), Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) checklists. Results: 25 out of 1207 articles were eligible for inclusion. The results showed that SES was associated with different types of healthcare utilisation. Only three studies were found on HRQoL/well‐being. Children with ADHD from low SES families had lower HRQoL than children from high SES families. Conclusion: This study found that a social gradient exists in both healthcare service use and children's HRQoL among those with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate achievement of the "Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program" in increasing child appreciation of diverse, healthy foods. Design: Comparative 2-year study. Setting: Six program and 6 comparison primary schools in rural and metropolitan Victoria, Australia, matched for socioeconomic status and size. Participants: A total of 764 children in grades 3 to 6 (8-12 years of age) and 562 parents recruited. Retention rates at follow-up included 85% children and 75% parents. Intervention: Each week of the school year, children spent 45 to 60 minutes in a garden class and 90 minutes in a kitchen class. Phenomenon of interest: Program impact on children's willingness to try new foods, capacity to describe foods, and healthy eating. Analysis: Qualitative data analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Quantitative data analyzed using random-effects linear regressions adjusted for school clustering. Results: Child and parent qualitative and quantitative measures (if never tried before, odds ratio 2.0; confidence interval, 1.06-3.58) showed increases in children's reported willingness to try new foods. No differences in articulation of food descriptions (program vs comparison groups). Qualitative evidence showed that the program extended its influence to healthy eating, but this was not reflected in the quantitative evidence. Conclusions and Implications: Findings indicate program success in achieving its primary objective, meriting further program research. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Health funding arrangements subsidised by the public purse provide a necessary conduit for families to access private speech-language pathology (SLP) services in Australia. In principle, public funding models (PFMs) champion the ideals of universal access. However, stakeholders ministering contemporary public funding provisions anecdotally report being incessantly afflicted with ethical challenges and dilemmas. This qualitative research describes the perceptions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in observing principles and values of ethical practice when accessing public funding provisions for children and young persons with communication and swallowing needs (CSN) within Australian independent SLP practices. Original data analysis revealed five predominant themes: (a) securing funding provisions, (b) time as a commodity, (c) incongruence between funding provisions and SLP evidence, (d) trust as a multifaceted quality, and (e) consequences of funding models. When re-analysed through an ethical lens, data illuminated the diversity of ethical principles and values raised by participants. As stewards safeguarding scarce public resources and committed to ethical integrity, SLPs are challenged to rigorously appraise PFMs through health-economic measures of equity, efficiency, and acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]