Ash Bolt
More new parents in Geelong and their babies will have the chance to be part of a new research project run by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute at Epworth Geelong and St John of God Hospital.
The institute is running its Generation Victoria (GenV) project across the state to compile a more complete picture of health and wellbeing across a generation, starting from birth.
All new parents will be able to join up to the research study over a two-year period.
The study will follow babies and their parents to help solve problems like asthma, food allergies, obesity and mental illness – mostly using data that is already routinely collected.
Parents giving birth at Epworth Geelong and St John of God can now take part in the study, after Barwon Health’s University Hospital joined in May this year.
More than 1000 families from the Geelong area have already chosen to take part in the study.
GenV scientific director Professor Melissa Wake said GenV’s vision was to have helped create a happier and healthier future for many children and parents by 2035.
“By involving children and families in this once-in-a-generation initiative, GenV can help solve pressing problems like asthma, food allergies, obesity, and mental illness,” she said.
“In addition, we are seeking to address the inequities that face so many children and families across Victoria. Because GenV will be in every community, it may be especially helpful to the most vulnerable individuals and communities in our state.”
Professor Wake said whole-of-state research projects such as GenV could speed up answers to the major issues facing children and adults.
“GenV truly is a collaborative study and a partnership of many. We are profoundly grateful to the team at Epworth Geelong for partnering with us,” she said.
“Over the next two years, around 150,000 children born in Victoria and their parents will have the opportunity to participate in the project. Put simply, by signing up to be a part of the GenV generation, parents will help to create a healthier future for all children and their families.”
Epworth Geelong executive manager Leonie Lloyd said the health service was proud to be able to facilitate the study, which would ultimately help guide its future offerings and services.
“Since launching our maternity services four years ago, Epworth Geelong has seen a steady increase in the number of births at our hospital each year,” she said.
“Supporting these families to participate in the GenV study at Epworth Geelong will help us to learn more about the health and development needs of children and their parents, so we can shape and refine future services to improve the health and wellbeing of families in the region.”
GenV is led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital and University of Melbourne and is funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the state government and the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
