Our Health Study
A person’s lifetime experiences of health and illness are determined by many factors, including their unique combination of genetic, physical, environmental, lifestyle, psychological and other traits. It is therefore important that healthcare and medical treatments are not a ‘one size fits all’ offering, and are tailored to reflect these individual differences. This personalised approach to care is known as ‘precision health’.
In this study, we seek to collect detailed information about participants' health, daily habits, experiences, lifestyle, body function and genes (DNA), through the collection of:
- Physical health measures (eg, blood pressure, bone density and lung testing)
- Questionnaires (eg, mental health, life experiences)
- Information collected from smart phones and smart watches (eg, physical activity)
- Bodily (biological) samples – (eg, blood, saliva, urine, dental plaque, and faeces). These samples also tell us about the activity of bacteria ("bugs") within the body!
All of these factors play important roles in determining health and disease throughout life. Some of the samples will undergo routine tests, like blood tests you might have at your doctors. We will also look at the microscopic things that make up our body’s cells and keep them functioning (eg, proteins, genes, and other small molecules).
By collecting such rich and detailed information from a diverse community group, we aim to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of health conditions. We also aim to provide as much information as possible back to participants, to inform and aid your knowledge of your own health.
Find out more
To learn more about taking part in the Our Health Study, please see the following resources:
Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF)
Participant Information Booklet (PIB)
(PDF 411.4 KB)
This project is a strategic priority of the University of Melbourne, and particularly the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. The project is funded through the University, and via the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund.
Can I take part?
To be eligible for the Our Health Study, you must be:
- Aged 25 to 70 years old (inclusive)
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Able to understand written and spoken English
- Able to attend a half-day study visit in Carlton
- Able to fast (ie, not eat or drink, other than water) for 4 hours before your visit.
What happens if I take part?
If this study is appropriate for you, and you decide to take part, your study participation will happen over 3 phases:
Phase 1 – Pre-visit questions:
You will be asked to complete some questionnaires and information at home (on a computer or tablet) (1 hour, approximately) before your in-person study appointment.
Phase 2 – In-person appointment:
You will be invited to attend the Participant Assessment Centre (‘PAC’) in Carlton. During the visit, we will further explain what is involved and you will be asked to provide biological samples, and complete physical assessments, further questionnaires and a health interview. This visit will take around 4 hours in total.
Study visits are available Monday-Friday mornings only.
The PAC is located within the Australian College of Optometry, at 374 Cardigan Street, Carlton, VIC.
Phase 3 – At home measures:
A two-week monitoring phase following your visit, which includes wearing a smart watch, using a smart phone app, and completing some assessments at home. (2.5 hours, approximately, over 2 weeks.)
Join the study
Please ensure you have read the Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF) before joining the study.
The Our Health Study is being conducted by the University of Melbourne and affiliated researchers. The study has been approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC #28434).
Meet the team
The Our Health Study team is made up of staff and researchers from across the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.
Meet the team at the Carlton Participant Assessment Centre (PAC):
- Kym Rickards – Senior Research Assistant
- Astha Kattel – Research Assistant
- Zoe Taylor – Research Assistant
- Hasitha Pelenda – Research Assistant
- Nandita Paulose – Research Assistant
- Anna Middleton – Research Coordinator
- A/Prof Julian Simmons – Project Supervisor
- Justine Underwood – Project Manager
- Alan Tsui – Data Manager
Lead researchers
University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science
- A/Prof Bernie Pope
- Dr Mihiri Silva
- A/Prof Laren Ayton
- Ms Jessica Holliday
- Ms Rebekah Street
- Professor Yoshihisa Kashima
- Professor Nicholas Haslam
- Professor Nicholas Allen
- A/Prof Adrian Bickerstaffe
- Ms Samantha Fox
- Ms Hannah Murchie
- Ms Emmelyne Jack
- Mr Joshua Harris
- A/Prof Michael Menden
- Dr Amy Loughman
University of Melbourne Faculty of Science
- A/Prof Kate Howell
- Dr Robyn Larsen
- Dr Chiara Murgia
- Prof Kim-Anh Le Cao
Bio21Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
- A/Prof David Stroud
- Dr Subash Adhikari
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
- Professor Richard Saffery
- Dr Kim Powell
Columbia University Irving Medical Centre – NY, USA
- Dr Djamila Eliby
Contact the 'Our Health' Study team:
The 'Our Health' Study team can be emailed directly at ourhealth-study@unimelb.edu.au.
Visiting the PAC
The Carlton Participant Assessment Centre (PAC) is located within the Australian College of Optometry:
374 Cardigan Street,
Carlton, VIC 3053