Ms Natasha Howard

Biography/ Background

Natasha is a PhD candidate enrolled in the Discipline of Geographical and Environmental Studies at the University of Adelaide.  Natasha's research investigates the socio-spatial aspects of health, investigating social inequalities, obesity and chronic disease in the north-west region of Adelaide. Spatial and epidemiological methodologies are used to analyse data from the North West Adelaide Health Study, a biomedical cohort of over 4000 participants studying key health areas such as diabetes, chronic lung conditions, arthritis and risk factors of chronic disease. There is a growing interest in the association between small area and individual disadvantage and this research supports the need to focus on the physical and social environment in explaining obesity for disadvantaged populations and communities.  She has previously worked for the South Australian Department of Health as an Epidemiological Research Officer on the North West Adelaide Health Study.

Qualifications

PhD Candidate, Discipline of Geographical and Environmental Studies, The University of Adelaide

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honous Public Health), The University of Adelaide

Publications

2008

Adams RJ, N Howard, G Tucker, S Appleton, AW Taylor, C Chittleborough, T Gill, RE Ruffin, DH Wilson 2008. Effects of area deprivation on health risks and outcomes: a multi-level, cross-sectional, Australian population study. International Journal of Public Health. In Press, [Accepted 4 December 2008].

 

Howard NJ, AW Taylor, TK Gill and CR Chittleborough 2008. Severe Obesity: Investigating the sociodemographics within the extremes of body mass index. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 2(1), 51-59.

Howard NJ, GJ Hugo, AW Taylor, DH Wilson 2008. Our perception of weight: socioeconomic and sociocultural explanations. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 2(2), 125-131.

2007

 

Howard N. Geographies of Obesity: The social environment and the young adult cohort. NOBLE Conference “The Shape of Things to Come”, NOBLE Conference, Adelaide Town Hall, 5 November 2007.

 

 

2006

 

Howard N. Space Place and Health: Small area analysis of Obesity. South Australian Department of Health, NOBLE seminar series, 17th August 2006.

 

Howard N, Wilson D, Taylor A, Hugo G and The North West Adelaide Health Study Team. Investigating spatial relationships and obesity: What role does area and individual level disadvantage play within the north west region of Adelaide, South Australia.  International Congress of Obesity (ICO), Sydney, 3-8 September 2006. (Poster)

 

Howard N, Hugo G, Wilson D, Taylor A and The North West Adelaide Health Study Team. Individual health or area level health affects: Investigating the socio-spatial aspects of obesity within the north west region of Adelaide, South Australia. GeoHealth Conference, Nelson, New Zealand, November 27-30 2006.

 

Howard N, Hugo G, Wilson D, Taylor A and The North West Adelaide Health Study Team. “Is my neighbourhood making me sick?”: a spatial investigation into obesity and inequalities in the north west region of Adelaide. Australian Population Association Population, Policy and Australia’s Density Adelaide, 6-8 December 2006.(Poster) 

2005

Howard NJ, Taylor AW, Dal Grande E, Gill TK and Carter P. Trends Analysis of Body Mass Index in South Australia 1994-2004: Does Socioeconomic Status make a difference? Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity (ASSO), Adelaide, 28-30 October 2005.

Howard N, Grant J, Montgomerie A, Taylor AW and the NWAH Study Team. Using a Tape Measure to Examine Chronic Disease and Risk Factors: The North West Adelaide Health Study. Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity (ASSO), Adelaide, 28-30 October 2005. (Poster)

Professional Associations

Executive Committee Member South Australian Branch, Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA)

Entry last updated: Tuesday, 26 May 2009