BPMRI Busselton Health Study

BPMRI Busselton Health Study The Busselton Population Medical Research Institute's "Busselton Health Study" is one of the longest population health studies in the world.

Over 30,000 participants taking part since 1966 resulting in over 600 scientific and medical research publications The residents of the town of Busselton, a coastal community in the south-west of Western Australia, have been involved in a series of health surveys since 1966. To date over 30, 000 men, women & children of all ages have taken part in the surveys and have helped contribute to our und

erstanding of many common diseases and health conditions. The collection of population health data in Busselton was initiated by local GP Dr Kevin Cullen. His vision was to establish and conduct population health research in a community setting that would not only provide important information into the prevalence and causes of common diseases but also to empower participants to take an active role in their health and well-being. We believe the original aims of the Busselton Health Study as stated in 1966 in understanding disease and improving the health of the population continues today. These aims are:


1. To study the prevalence of common diseases in an Australian community

2. To assess the range and variation of a large number of clinical and laboratory variables in a natural population

3. To provide a community service in the detection, treatment and prevention of disease and in the education of the population

4. To conduct longitudinal surveys for the study of risk factors related to health and disease

5. To study mortality from specific diseases in an Australian population and to define the usefulness of risk factors in predicting such mortality



A unique database of information has been compiled and is managed by the School of Population Health at the University of Western Australia. It has been recognized and relied upon by major international research centres asBusselton Study Logo well as by researchers here in WA for over 50 years.The collection provides important information on common diseases and their relationships to risk factors, lifestyle and environmental variables. Over 500 research articles have been published in the literature and the archived collection of data from the Busselton population has been described as a National Treasure by the Government of Western Australia.

Do you have a life-changing story to tell about the Busselton Health Study and how it has impacted your health?The Busse...
20/04/2026

Do you have a life-changing story to tell about the Busselton Health Study and how it has impacted your health?

The Busselton Health Study has been running for 60 years and has involved the participation of over 20,000+ residents. We are keen to hear how you or your family's participation in the studies has had a positive impact upon your lives. It may have been through the detection of a major medical condition or perhaps an intervention that has led to a complete lifestyle change which has resulted in better health and well-being.

If you have a story you would like to share, please drop us an email at busseltonhealthstudy@health.wa.gov.au or reach us via messenger on this page.

17/03/2026

Meet Dr Luke Whiley, who is using the data and blood samples from the Healthy Ageing Study in his research of Alzheimer’s disease. He is investigating how genetic risk, particularly variations in genes involved in lipid transport, may affect metabolism across the body and lead to disease. This work highlights the importance of lipids in brain health, helping shift dementia research beyond proteins alone to include broader metabolic processes.

Did you know your eyes can reveal how fast your body is ageing?A new study using data from nearly 5,000 Busselton Health...
09/03/2026

Did you know your eyes can reveal how fast your body is ageing?

A new study using data from nearly 5,000 Busselton Healthy Ageing Study participants has found that certain everyday health factors are linked to having an “older‑than‑expected” retina — a sign of faster biological ageing.

👁️ What is “retinal age”?
Researchers used AI to analyse photos of the back of the eye and estimate each person’s “retinal age.” The difference between this and your actual age is called the retinal age gap. A bigger gap may signal higher risk of long‑term health problems.

🧬 What did the study find?
People tended to have an “older” retina if they had:
• Higher blood pressure
• Higher body weight (BMI)
• Higher blood sugar (HbA1c)
• Higher alcohol intake
These are all modifiable factors — meaning we can change them.

💡 Why does this matter?
This research shows that a simple eye photo may help identify people at risk of faster ageing, opening the door to earlier prevention and healthier ageing across our community.

A big congratulations to the Australian research team — including contributors from the Lions Eye Institute, University of Melbourne and the Busselton Population Medical Research Institute — for this exciting step forward in healthy ageing science!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41790169/

Did you know WA's own National Treasure, Professor Fiona Stanley volunteered as a medical student collecting data on the...
23/02/2026

Did you know WA's own National Treasure, Professor Fiona Stanley volunteered as a medical student collecting data on the very first Health Study in 1966 before going on to a stellar career in child health research.

We were honoured to sit down with Professor Fiona Stanley AC FAA, a world-leading epidemiologist who not only has a hospital in Western Australia named in her honour but also an NHMRC Research Excellence Award – the Fiona Stanley Synergy Grant Award.

In our interview, Professor Stanley shared a wealth of passionate, hard-won advice for early career researchers about what truly matters in research.

‘It’s really important that you ask yourself, is this research going to translate into something that will make a difference?’

A reminder from one of Australia’s most influential researchers that discovery is only the beginning — impact is the goal.

Watch the full video on our website: https://ow.ly/22Ob50YbkAR

Did you know the very first Busselton Health Studies were run out of a fleet of caravans in the 1960s? Help us celebrate...
06/02/2026

Did you know the very first Busselton Health Studies were run out of a fleet of caravans in the 1960s? Help us celebrate 60 years of world‑leading medical research and incredible community participation! Vote for our Caravan of Discovery exhibit in the City of Busselton’s You Choose community funding program.

Voting closes 5.00pm, Sunday 15 February 2026.

Learn more below and help us bring this story to life.
http://tiny.cc/healthstudy

Have you placed your vote yet in the City of Busselton's You Choose Program? Find out more about our 60th year anniversa...
21/01/2026

Have you placed your vote yet in the City of Busselton's You Choose Program? Find out more about our 60th year anniversary Caravan of Discovery at the link below!

To celebrate our 60th Anniversary in 2026, we’re bringing that history back to life by showcasing a vintage caravan exhibition across the City of Busselton.

Busselton has helped change global health for 60 years 💙Now we’re asking for your support.Please vote for BPMRI’s Carava...
13/01/2026

Busselton has helped change global health for 60 years 💙
Now we’re asking for your support.
Please vote for BPMRI’s Caravan of Discovery in the City of Busselton’s You Choose grant scheme and help bring this travelling exhibition to life for our community.
Every vote counts! 🙌 https://yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/youchoose?tool=guest_book

🎄 Merry Christmas to our incredible study participants, volunteers, supporters, research collaborators, and the wider co...
23/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas to our incredible study participants, volunteers, supporters, research collaborators, and the wider community.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to share that the BPMRI will be celebrating 60 years of the Busselton Health Studies and its legacy of world-leading medical research.

Stay tuned for some exciting initiatives as we embark on a journey of discovery in 2026 together, with the community that has made it all possible.

🎉 Our very best wishes to you and your loved ones for the festive season and the year ahead.

We’re saying goodbye to 2025 with heavy hearts as we farewell Glenys Hubbard, our much-loved Senior Research Nurse and R...
22/12/2025

We’re saying goodbye to 2025 with heavy hearts as we farewell Glenys Hubbard, our much-loved Senior Research Nurse and Recruitment & Volunteer Coordinator extraordinaire who is retiring from the BPMRI.

After nearly 10 incredible years with the Busselton Health Study, Glenys has gone above and beyond in every sense. She has been a constant source of support for our team and for everyone involved at the BPMRI, keeping things running smoothly with professionalism, kindness and an amazing can-do attitude.

Alongside her nursing and leadership roles, Glenys somehow also managed to take on the unofficial titles of chief problem solver, expert blood taker, baker, caterer, decorator and events coordinator and did it all with a smile. Her generosity, dedication and care have left a lasting mark on our organisation and on all of us personally.

While we are sad to see her leave, we are absolutely thrilled for her as she steps into a very well-deserved retirement. We wish her every happiness and excitement in this next chapter - she’s earned it many times over 💙

Help us guide future studies to address the issues that matter most to children and families in the City of Busselton. W...
04/08/2025

Help us guide future studies to address the issues that matter most to children and families in the City of Busselton. We encourage you to share this survey link with other family members, friends and colleagues particularly to other caregivers and those under 18 years of age.
Access the survey here: https://uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bPnnp8t3WjORBEG

Here's a new way to support BPMRI - we've joined the Containers for Change movement! Every bottle or can that you donate...
30/07/2025

Here's a new way to support BPMRI - we've joined the Containers for Change movement!
Every bottle or can that you donate will bring BPMRI 10 cents and will help support Medical Research.
Simply quote BPMRI's number C11611925 when you drop off your cans and bottles to a collection centre, and a donation will come to us - plus, you're helping keep these cans and bottles out of Landfill. It's a Win-Win!

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18 West Street
Busselton, WA
6280

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