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Population health data from the Busselton Health Studies was
initiated by Busselton’s visionary GP Dr Kevin Cullen. It has
been recognized and relied upon by major international
research centres as well as by researchers here in WA for
nearly 40 years. A total of over 200
articles have been published in international
research literature.
Although
Busselton's
population has increased from around 4,000 on the
electoral roll in 1966 to 23,000 in 2001, it has remained
ethnically and socio-economically stable and there has been no
change in environmental influences such as industrial air
pollution since winegrowing, tourism, leisure pursuits, and
dairy farming remain the main industries.
A unique database of information spanning over 30 years has been compiled and has provided much information on common diseases and their relationships to risk factors, lifestyle and environmental variables. A total of over 200 articles have been published in international research literature.
The archived collection of data from these Busselton studies
has been described as a National Treasure by the Government of
Western Australia. No other Australian population sample has
been monitored for respiratory disease prevalence for as long
as Busselton.
The Busselton Population Medical Research
Foundation is responsible for the management and use of the
accumulated information, and fostering and promoting relevant
research associated with the Busselton Health Study.
The School of Population Health at the
University of Western Australia maintains and updates the
computerised database and provides statistical services
associated with the database.
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