Ms Natalie Townsend
Research Executive Manager
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
- Email:natalie.townsend@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:0240420685
Career Summary
Biography
Qualifications
- Master of Clinical Epidemiology (Distinction), University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours 1), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health
- Public Health
- Violence
- Women's Health
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 420299 | Epidemiology not elsewhere classified | 30 |
| 440509 | Women's studies (incl. girls' studies) | 30 |
| 420699 | Public health not elsewhere classified | 40 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 |
Loxton D, Townsend N, 'Chapter 4: "All I want is a life free from violence" the impact of family and domestic violence on children', Children's Rights Report 2015, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, Australia (2015)
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Journal article (11 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
Morrison AM, Kulp MT, Cotter SA, Scheiman MM, Jenewein EC, Roberts TL, Mitchell GL, Arnold LE, Retnasothi D, Bade A, Hertle R, Borsting E, Cooper J, Schulman E, Hamian K, Iacono D, Larson S, Leung V, Meeder S, Ramos E, Ritter S, Steiner A, Stormann A, Vricella M, Zhu X, Tamkins S, Aguilera N, Brafman E, Capo H, Cavuoto K, Crespo I, Dowling M, Draskovic K, Farag M, Fischer V, Grace S, Gutierrez A, Manchola-Orozco C, Martinez M, McKeown C, Osigian C, Small L, Townsend N, Gallaway M, Boas M, Calvert C, Franz T, Gerrouge A, Hayden D, Margolies Z, Meiyeppen S, Myung J, Pollack K, Scheiman M, Shoge R, Tang A, Tannen N, Trieu L, Trujillo L, Buckland M, Ellis A, Fogt J, McDaniel C, McGann T, Mulvihill S, Peiffer A, Plaumann M, Pierce G, Preston J, Reuter K, Stevens N, Teeny J, Toole A, Widmer D, Zimmerman A, Barnhardt C, Chen A, Chu R, Huang K, Parker S, Retnasothie D, Wu J, Clark P, Culp K, Fraley K, Grant D, Hanna N, Knox S, Lawhon W, Li L, Mitcheff S, Ricker I, Solis C, 'One-year follow-up of clinical convergence measures in children enrolled in the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial—Attention and Reading Trial', Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 44, 1346-1353 (2024) [C1]
Purpose: To assess the long-term stability of clinical measures of convergence (near point of convergence [NPC] and positive fusional vergence [PFV]) in participants en... [more] Purpose: To assess the long-term stability of clinical measures of convergence (near point of convergence [NPC] and positive fusional vergence [PFV]) in participants enrolled in the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial-Attention and Reading Trial (CITT-ART) who received 16 weeks of office-based vergence/accommodative therapy. Methods: A total of 310 children, 9¿14 years old, with symptomatic convergence insufficiency were enrolled in CITT-ART. Some 270 completed both their 16-week primary outcome visit followed by a 1-year follow-up visit. Of those 270, 181 (67%) were randomised to the vergence/accommodative therapy. Of the 181 in the vergence/accommodative group, 121 (67%) reported not receiving any additional treatment after the 16-week primary outcome visit. The mean change in NPC, PFV and percentages of children classified by the predetermined success criteria of convergence (normal NPC [<6 cm] and/or improved by =4 cm; normal PFV [passing Sheard's criterion and base-out break >15¿] and/or improved by =10¿) were compared at the 16-week primary outcome visit and 1 year later. Results: Of the 121 who returned for their 1-year follow-up visit, there was no significant change in mean adjusted NPC (reduction of -0.2 cm; 95% CI: -1.0 to 0.5 cm) at 1 year. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean-adjusted PFV (-4.7¿; 95% CI: -6.5 to -2.8¿) at 1 year. There were similar percentages of participants classified as 'normal' (p = 0.30), 'normal and/or improved' (p > 0.50) and 'normal and improved' (p > 0.14) based on NPC and PFV at the 1-year visit compared with the 16-week primary outcome visit. Conclusion: The improvements in NPC and PFV following 16 weeks of vergence/accommodative therapy (with no reported additional treatment thereafter) in children with symptomatic convergence insufficiency persisted 1-year post-treatment.
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| 2021 |
Loxton D, Forder PM, Cavenagh D, Townsend N, Holliday E, Chojenta C, Melka AS, 'The impact of adverse childhood experiences on the health and health behaviors of young Australian women', CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT, 111 (2021) [C1]
Background: Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to poor health and adverse health behavior in adulthood. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalen... [more] Background: Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to poor health and adverse health behavior in adulthood. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among young Australian women (aged 20¿25) and examine associations between adverse childhood experiences and adult health behaviors and physical and mental health. Participants and Settings: Data were from the 1989-95 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, who completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale at Survey 3 in 2015 (N = 8609). Methods: Outcomes included: self-rated health, sexual health, psychological distress, depression, anxiety, suicide ideation, self-harm, substance abuse (drinking, smoking, illicit drugs), severe obesity, and exercise. Prevalence of childhood adversities were presented, with the association between childhood adversity and outcomes evaluated using log-binomial multivariable regressions (99% CI). Results: While 59% of women reported experiencing at least one childhood adversity, 10% of participants reported adverse childhood experiences across four or more categories, indicating a significant burden of risk for young Australian women. Women reporting four or more categories had higher rates of poor physical health (adjPR = 1.79, 99% CI = 1.51¿2.12), sexually transmitted infections (adjPR = 1.36, 99% CI = 1.11¿1.67), and poor mental health (adjPR = 2.78, 99% CI = 2.34¿3.32), and increased rates of severe obesity (adjPR = 2.14, 99% CI = 1.61¿2.86) and smoking (adjPR = 2.23, 99% CI = 1.89¿2.64). Conclusion: Using nationally representative data, this study shows adverse childhood experiences directly impact physical and mental health, and health behaviors in adulthood among young Australian women. The management of health and wellbeing in adulthood should look beyond the contemporaneous factors, incorporating a focus on how childhood adversity may negatively influence health behavior, health and wellbeing in later life.
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Coombe J, Anderson AE, Townsend N, Rae KM, Gilbert S, Keogh L, Corby C, Loxton D, 'Factors influencing contraceptive use or non-use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a systematic review and narrative synthesis', Reproductive Health, 17, 1-17 (2020) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2019 |
Loxton D, Powers J, Townsend N, Harris ML, Forder P, 'Longitudinal inconsistency in responses to survey items that ask women about intimate partner violence', BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, 19 (2019) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2019 |
Loxton D, Townsend N, Dolja-Gore X, Forder P, Coles J, 'Adverse Childhood Experiences and Healthcare Costs in Adult Life', JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, 28, 511-525 (2019) [C1]
The current study aims to present the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and examine the healthcare costs associated with primary, allied, and specialist healt... [more] The current study aims to present the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and examine the healthcare costs associated with primary, allied, and specialist healthcare services. The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health is a general health survey of four nationally representative age cohorts. The current study uses 20¿years of survey and administrative data (1996¿2015) from the cohort born 1973¿1978. Overall, 41% of women indicated at least one category of childhood adversity. The most commonly reported type of childhood adversity was having a household member with a mental illness (16%), with the most commonly reported ACES category being psychological abuse (17%). Women who had experienced adversity in childhood had higher healthcare costs than women who had not experienced adversity. The healthcare costs associated with experiences of adversity in childhood fully justify a comprehensive policy and practice review.
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2019 |
Loxton D, Harris ML, Forder P, Powers J, Townsend N, Bytes J, Mishra G, 'Factors Influencing Web-Based Survey Response for a Longitudinal Cohort of Young Women Born Between 1989 and 1995', JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH, 21 (2019) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2017 |
Loxton D, Dolja-Gore X, Anderson AE, Townsend N, 'Intimate partner violence adversely impacts health over 16 years and across generations: A longitudinal cohort study', PLOS ONE, 12 (2017) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2017 |
Townsend N, Powers J, Loxton D, 'Bullying among 18 to 23-year-old women in 2013', AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 41, 394-398 (2017) [C1]
Objective: To identify the prevalence of bullying among women aged 18¿23 in 2013, and to describe the demographic characteristics, health and risk factors of those who ... [more] Objective: To identify the prevalence of bullying among women aged 18¿23 in 2013, and to describe the demographic characteristics, health and risk factors of those who experienced bullying. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the 1989¿95 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a nationally representative cohort (n=16,801). Results: More than one-quarter of women (28.4%) indicated they had never been bullied, 53.4% reported experiencing bullying in the past and 18.2% indicated that they were recently bullied. Women who had experienced bullying were more likely to have lower levels of education, less likely to be studying or employed, and had more difficulty managing on their income. Women who experienced bullying were more likely to use tobacco or illicit drugs, be overweight or obese and to be sedentary. Even after adjusting for these factors, women who had experienced bullying were at risk of poor physical health, psychological distress, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Conclusions: This is the first nationally representative study to demonstrate the strong association between being a victim of bullying and health outcomes in a post-school-age population. Implications for public health: The findings highlight the need for interventions for women who have already experienced bullying and are past school age.
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2016 |
Harris ML, Byles JE, Townsend N, Loxton D, 'Perceptions of coping with non-disease-related life stress for women with osteoarthritis: A qualitative analysis', BMJ Open, 6 (2016) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2015 |
Loxton D, Powers J, Anderson AE, Townsend N, Harris ML, Tuckerman R, Pease S, Mishra G, Byles J, 'Online and Offline Recruitment of Young Women for a Longitudinal Health Survey: Findings From the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1989-95 Cohort', JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH, 17 (2015) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| Show 8 more journal articles | |||||||||||
Presentation (11 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Loxton D, Townsend N, Barnes I, 'Publication to Policy Workshop.' (2025)
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| 2024 |
Loxton D, Townsend N, 'Sexual violence against women: A national study of prevalence and health outcomes.' (2024)
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| 2024 |
Loxton D, Townsend N, 'Bringing evidence to health policy: A case study in community relevant research impact and successful research translation' (2024)
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| Show 8 more presentations | |||||
Report (32 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Mishra G, Barnes I, Dobson A, Egan N, Ferguson M, Forder P, Hockey R, Townsend N, Loxton D, 'Women at work: Health impacts on current, paid workforce participation 2025.' (2025)
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| 2024 |
Egan N, Townsend N, Barnes I, Loxton D, 'Women, work and domestic violence: Summary unadjusted data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health.' (2024)
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| 2023 |
Mishra G, Dobson A, Tooth L, Chan H-W, Forder P, Townsend N, Egan N, Cavenagh D, Hockey R, Barnes I, Byrnes E, Loxton D, 'COVID-19 and its impact on health care use: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health.' (2023)
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| 2022 |
Townsend N, Loxton D, Egan N, Barnes I, Byrnes E, Forder P, 'A life course approach to determining the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in Australia' (2022)
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Open Research Newcastle | |||
| 2021 |
Loxton D, Townsend N, Forder P, Barnes I, Byrnes E, Anderson A, Cavenagh D, Egan N, Tuckerman K, Byles J, 'Australian women’s mental health and wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020' (2021) [N1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||
| Show 29 more reports | |||||
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 7 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $9,648,257 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20232 grants / $8,727,673
The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health 2023-24 to 2026-27$8,537,673
Funding body: Department of Health and Aged Care
| Funding body | Department of Health and Aged Care |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Professor Gita Mishra, Associate Professor Leigh Tooth, Ms Natalie Townsend |
| Scheme | Consultancy/Tender |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2027 |
| GNo | G2301058 |
| Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
| Category | 2100 |
| UON | Y |
2021 Australian Health Research Alliance: National Women's Health Research, Translation and Impact Network (WHRTN) - CoProduction Grant Violence and Abuse$190,000
Funding body: Department of Health and Aged Care
| Funding body | Department of Health and Aged Care |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Professor Gita Mishra, Associate Professor Leigh Tooth, Ms Natalie Townsend |
| Scheme | MRFF - EPCDR |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2023 |
| GNo | G2301035 |
| Type Of Funding | C1300 - Aust Competitive - Medical Research Future Fund |
| Category | 1300 |
| UON | Y |
20211 grants / $285,503
Australian women’s mental health and wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic$285,503
Funding body: National Mental Health Commission
| Funding body | National Mental Health Commission |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Emeritus Professor Julie Byles, Ms Natalie Townsend |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2021 |
| GNo | G2100324 |
| Type Of Funding | C2200 - Aust Commonwealth – Other |
| Category | 2200 |
| UON | Y |
20202 grants / $328,365
A life course approach to determining the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in Australia: the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health$295,865
Funding body: ANROWS (Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's safety)
| Funding body | ANROWS (Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's safety) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Ms Peta Forder, Ms Natalie Townsend |
| Scheme | ANROWS Research Priorities Grants |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2020 |
| Funding Finish | 2022 |
| GNo | G2000444 |
| Type Of Funding | C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit |
| Category | 3200 |
| UON | Y |
Integrated approaches for domestic and family violence, mental health issues and alcohol and other drugs misuse$32,500
Funding body: The Sax Institute
| Funding body | The Sax Institute |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Professor Nicholas Goodwin, Ms Natalie Townsend, Doctor Amy Anderson, Ms Emma Byrnes, Ms Isabelle Barnes, Professor Frances Kay, Suzanne Lewis |
| Scheme | Rapid Review |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2020 |
| Funding Finish | 2020 |
| GNo | G1901421 |
| Type Of Funding | C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit |
| Category | 3200 |
| UON | Y |
20191 grants / $237,651
Family, domestic and sexual violence hotspot maps and research summaries$237,651
Funding body: Department of Social Services
| Funding body | Department of Social Services |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Ms Natalie Townsend, Ms Peta Forder, Ms Isabelle Barnes |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | G1900436 |
| Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
| Category | 2100 |
| UON | Y |
20181 grants / $69,065
Domestic violence among women who have a disability or women who are culturally and linguistically diverse$69,065
Funding body: Department of Social Services
| Funding body | Department of Social Services |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Deb Loxton, Ms Peta Forder, Ms Natalie Townsend, Mr Dominic Cavenagh |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2018 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | G1800804 |
| Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
| Category | 2100 |
| UON | Y |
Ms Natalie Townsend
Position
Research Executive Manager
Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
| natalie.townsend@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | 0240420685 |
| Link | Research Networks |
