WA Governor Joins Joondalup Family Health Study

Dr Kenneth Comninos Michael, AC

July 24th, 2006 - Media Statement

His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC Governor of Western Australia has been announced as the overall patron of the Joondalup Family Health Study.

Dr Michael's appointment follows that of WA burns expert and 2005 Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood, who is the medical patron of the medical research initiative.

Up to 80,000 adults and children from the City of Joondalup area expected to volunteer to take part in the Joondalup Family Health Study (JFHS), which could begin next year.

Dr Michael said he was pleased to lend his support to the Study.

"This large-scale health study is a very important and exciting initiative and I am proud to be a part of it," he said.

"It has received widespread support and, with its aim to help generate breakthroughs into the causes, treatment and prevention of diseases including cancer, heart disease, asthma, obesity and diabetes, the potential for the Joondalup Family Health Study is enormous.

"This research is likely to improve the health of Joondalup residents and the wider local, national and international communities for many generations to come."

The JFHS would be a contemporary, metropolitan version of the world-renowned Busselton Health Study, which has been ongoing since 1966.

Volunteers would be asked to supply information about their lifestyle and diet, basic measurements, provide a blood sample and undergo health checks including heart and lung function, likely to take place every three years.

The proposed Joondalup Family Health Study is an initiative of the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), the University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, the Lions Eye Institute, the Women's and Infant's Research Foundation, and other academic, government and hospital partners.

WAIMR Professor Lyle Palmer would lead the Study, which has been endorsed by the Australian Medical Association (WA Branch) and the Health Department of WA.

For more information please contact:
Natalie Papadopoulos
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0407 984 435