Frequently Asked Questions

 
 
What are the Institute’s key areas of research?
The Institute has a broad mission to improve and promote the health and wellbeing of all children through the unique application of multidisciplinary research. Hence many projects involve scientists from a number of our divisions. Our key research themes include:
How was the Institute founded?
The Institute was founded in 1990 by Professors Fiona Stanley, Pat Holt and Lou Landau who all shared a vision for a multidisciplinary approach to research to improve outcomes for children. The Institute was established as a unique collaboration between clinical, population and basic scientists.

What are the Institute’s major achievements?
Researchers at the Institute have published more than 100 peer reviewed scientific papers each year. Of particular note is the work by Professors Carol Bower and Fiona Stanley in helping to identify the important role of folate in reducing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The Institute initiated the world’s first public health folate campaign and has since lobbied for the mandatory fortification of food with folate, which has now been agreed to by state and federal food ministers.

The Institute’s advocacy also saw Western Australia become the first state to offer free vaccinations to prevent Hib meningitits. The Institute’s asthma and allergy researchers have made important discoveries about the development of the immune system and have just begun trials of the world’s first asthma vaccine.
The Institute has pioneered the development of powerful data-bases of de-identified information that tracks births and later health outcomes. It also has a disability database, a twins register, a cerebral palsy register and is home to the international Rett Syndrome database. These sources of information allow epidemiologists to track patterns and trends.
The Institute is tracking the health and development of more than 2500 young people, who were recruited for the Raine Study before they were born. Data was gathered during their mother’s pregnancy, and those same children are now around 16 years of age and still coming in for regular assessments.
>> Click here to find out more about our achievements.
>> Click here to find our more about our research themes.

How is the Institute funded?
The Institute is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation. The majority of its research programs are funded through the awarding of competitive research grants from federal bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council. The State Government of Western Australia provides valuable infrastructure funding. Much needed additional support is provided by our valued corporate partners, through bequests and personal donations. We also fundraise to fill the gap between grant funding and research costs.

Why is it called the Telethon Institute?
The Institute is proudly supported by the people of Western Australia through Channel 7 Perth’s annual Telethon. We are called the Telethon Institute in acknowledgement of their generous support in funding our research.

Does the Institute only do work in Western Australia?
While based in Perth, the Institute is global in its scope with collaborative projects in Papua New Guinea, India and the United States. The Institute has recently been named a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Children’s Environmental Health Research.

How can I find out more about Professor Fiona Stanley for a school project?
You will find information and more commonly asked questions on our school projeccts page.

Why does the Institute have a separate Indigenous research area?
Aboriginal children and their families face a far greater burden in terms of poor health and general wellbeing. The Institute is home to the Kulunga Research Network which not only facilitates indigenous research, it also has an important capacity building role in training the next generation of Aboriginal researchers. The Institute has also published four volumes of results from the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey which is the largest research project of its kind, interviewing the families and teachers of more than 5000 Aboriginal children.

How can I support the Institute’s work?
The Institute runs a number of research projects that are looking for clinical volunteers.

>> Click here to find out which projects are currently recruiting.
Most importantly the Institute relies on the generous support of donors to help with funding priorities such as upgrading equipment, employing support staff and helping our researchers to share their knowledge at international forums and meetings.
>> Click here for more information about supporting the Institute.
Last updated 24 January 2007