Professor John Wiggers

Professor John Wiggers

Professor John Wiggers

Research Program:
Project Grant
2017 Project Grant
HMRI Award for Research Excellence
2016 HMRI Award for Research Excellence
Project Grant
2013 Project Grant
Project Grant
2013 Project Grant
Project Grant
2012 Project Grant
Project Grant
2011 Project Grant
Project Grant
2010 Project Grant
Project Grant
2010 Project Grant
Project Grant
2010 Project Grant
Project Grant
2009 Project Grant
Project Grant
2008 Project Grant
Project Grant
2007 Project Grant
Project Grant
2000 Project Grant

What are your research interests?

The majority of today's health problems are able to be prevented by changing the behaviours of individuals and of organisations. The most common preventable risks to the health of individuals and communities are tobacco smoking, inadequate nutrition, risky alcohol consumption, and inadequate physical activity. My research is focused on identifying ways of building the capacity of community organisations - schools, health care services, non-government services, licensed premises and workplaces to contribute to reducing the prevalence of such risks by modifying their care, service delivery and organisational policies and practices.        

Why did you get into research?

The demand for better health is insatiable and the opportunities for achieving this are endless. Many of these opportunities lie directly in front of us. People require the support of others to improve their health and wellbeing. We need to build the capacity of the broader community to provide this support in direct and indirect ways. Despite this need, little is known about how to go about achieving this. Solving this challenge is my goal.    

What would be the ultimate goal for your research?

All schools, health care services, non-government services, licensed premises,  workplaces etc in the Hunter New England region contributing to reducing tobacco smoking and risky alcohol consumption and promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity. 

Brief Profile 

Professor John Wiggers is a population health researcher, practitioner and policy maker. As a Professor in the School of Medicine and Public Health, he leads an integrated team of researchers and research practitioners involved in implementation research relating to the prevention of tobacco and alcohol-related harms and the prevention of obesity.

As Director  of Hunter New England Population Health, he leads the delivery of population health services to the 880,000 residents of the Hunter New England Region of NSW. Professor Wiggers, in various positions in the NSW Ministry of Health and other organisations, has contributed to the development of various policies and programs relating to the prevention of tobacco and alcohol-related harms and overweight and obesity.

Specialised/Technical Skills 

  • Behavioural scientist
  • Primary and secondary prevention of chronic disease risks(smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity)
  • Randomised controlled trials and complex community interventions
  • Implementation scientist
  • Health promotion practitioner

Affiliations

  • Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle
  • Director, Priority Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle
  • Co-Director, Population Health Capacity Building Program, HMRI
  • Director, Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District
  • Member, Expert Advisory Group, NSW Premier's Priority for Reducing Child Obesity
  • Board Adviser, Australian Drug Foundation
  • Board Member, Australian Centre Agricultural Health and Safety
  • Member, HMRI Research Council

2017

Impact of a uniform intervention on girl’s physical activity
Project Grant
Description:

Research indicates that many school-aged children, in particularly girls, are not sufficiently active. Girls are less active than boys with differences beginning from as young as 8 years. Improving physical activity, particularly among girls, has been identified as a public health priority.

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2016

Award for Research Excellence - John Wiggers
HMRI Award for Research Excellence
Researchers:

2013

The Quit-STAIR: A randomised controlled trial of a proactive stepped approach for maximising uptake of evidence-based smoking cessation support.
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Christine Paul, Flora Tzelepis, John Wiggers, Patrick McElduff, Jenny Knight

Description:

Tobacco use is responsible for more than 5 million deaths per year globally.

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Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend 

Description:

The project aims to reduce the number of disadvantaged adolescents across the Hunter New England region from taking up smoking and using alcohol and illict drugs.

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2012

Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

 John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend
 

2011

Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

 John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend
 

2010

Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend 

Pilot of an intervention to increase the provision of nicotine dependence treatment in mental health inpatient settings
Project Grant
Researchers:

Ms Paula Wye, John Wiggers, Jenny Bowman, Amanda Baker, Megan Freund 

A randomised controlled trial of an intervention to increase child physical activity during attendance at childcare
Project Grant
Researchers:

2009

Effectiveness of an intervention disigned to reduce alcohol-related harm associated with licensed premises in Newcastle
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr John Wiggers, P McElduff, M Freund, K Gillham, E d'Espaignet
 

2008

Integrated Smoking Care Linking Mental Health Inpatients to Community Services: a Pilot Study
Project Grant
Researchers:

2007

Followup of non-participant to a smoking cessation intervention trial; tracking quitting-related attitudes, behaviours, and hard-core status
Project Grant

2000

Preventing infant exposure to tobacco smoke: evaluation of an early childhood intervention
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr John Wiggers, Ms R Considine