The adolescent population are the future of the country and in India they contribute to the demographic dividend of the nation. Adolescence is a vulnerable period with rapid changes in physical, mental and social levels. According to World Health Organisation, around 20% of children and adolescents suffer from a disabling mental illness, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents.

Background Many health conditions are preventable if risk factors are identified early. Australian women have a high burden of modifiable risk factors including 60 percent being overweight or obese, and 20 percent having uncontrolled high blood pressure. Unfortunately there are many barriers that prevent women from visiting a health care professional and discussing their health. Hairdressers are one of the most common paid services used by Australian women, so hair salons present an opportunity to reach a large proportion of women. There is a clear need for novel approaches to engaging women on health issues, potentially including those that extend beyond traditional health care settings. Aim This study aims to understand the potential value of promoting women’s health outside traditional health care settings among female attendees at NSW hairdressing salons. Design The Hairdressers for Health study is a double-blind cluster-randomised controlled trial with a mixed-methods process evaluation.

Background Depression is a common form of mental distress that affects 1 in 7 Australians in their lifetime. People who are depressed not only feel depressed and sad, but often find they sleep poorly, experience a change in appetite, have low energy, poor concentration and have lowered self-esteem. Sometimes, they might think of harming themselves. Often, they find it hard to enjoy life or be productive. Aim This project seeks to investigate how pharmacogenomics can help to find the right antidepressant medication for people with depression. Method This is an investigator-initiated, randomised-controlled trial of pharmacogenomics-guided therapy versus standard care for people with moderate to severe depression. Study participants are randomised to either the pharmacogenomics-guided intervention arm or a standard care (control) arm. The prescribing doctors of all participants are provided with a treatment guide to inform prescription of antidepressant therapy. Potential Impact Pharmacog

BACKGROUND Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed medications globally to help control the body’s production of cholesterol, but they can also reduce the activity of certain cell proteins involved in the body’s response to infection and inflammation. COVID-19 infection puts patients at high risk of strokes from intense inflammation in the body, and from being critically ill. However, the effects of the virus may linger in the brain to disrupt pathways in more subtle ways that affects thinking, mood and sleep.  AIM STRONGER aims to test whether treatment with a popular statin (atorvastatin), widely prescribed to prevent strokes and improve cardiovascular health, has anti-inflammatory effects that can improve memory and thinking after COVID-19 infection. METHOD STRONGER is an international randomised clinical trial of atorvastatin versus usual care to assess memory and brain function in 410 adults who have persistent neurological symptoms such as ‘brain fog’, headaches, poor