Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
Encyclopedia
Established in 1990 by former Australian of the Year
Professor Fiona Stanley
, the Telethon Institute of Child Health Research in Western Australia is a multidisciplinary research centre with more than 500 staff, post-graduate students and visiting scholars, working collaboratively to improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families. The Institute's priority in every area is on prevention – of disease, disability and disadvantage.
Aboriginal child health;
Asthma, allergy and respiratory disease;
Children’s cancers;
Healthy development;
Infectious disease;
Social and emotional wellbeing;
The early years;
Understanding disability.
The Telethon Institute is committed to ensuring that the benefits of its research are translated into real therapies and policies to improve the health and wellbeing of children. Since its establishment in 1990, researchers at the Institute have published more than 1630 scientific papers and advocated on behalf of children and families.
Some highlights include:
Discovering that folate can prevent spina bifida;
Hib meningitis vaccination;
Improving outcomes for Aboriginal babies and children;
Researching IVF outcomes;
Leading the world in the understanding, treatment and prevention of asthma;
Developing programs to reduce youth suicide;
Determining causes for cerebral palsy;
Improving the life chances for children with cystic fibrosis;
Increasing survival rates for children with leukaemia.
The Institute is a research hub for prominent scientists such as Patrick Holt, as well as the home of one of the largest longitudinal cohort studies, the Raine Study, which has been following the lives of thousands of children for more than 20 years. The Institute is an independent not-for-profit, non-government organisation.
, opposite Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
, with which it collaborates closely. Ongoing collaborations exist with the University of Western Australia
Department of Paediatrics, Curtin University and Seven Network
's Telethon, a major funding partner.
and a group of population scientists (epidemiologists) from UWA (University of Western Australia
) joined a group of lab based researchers from the hospital and formed the WA Research Institute for Child Health (WARICH).
By 1994, due to rapid success and expansion, it became clear that a purpose built facility was required. $11.2m was raised from West Australian corporates and individuals through a capital campaign (where money was pledged over a 5-year period) with the state and federal governments then matching this with $11.2m each.
The land was purchased from Perth Modern High School (it used to be their tennis courts which were relocated) and construction began in 1998. The new building was opened in February 2000.
The original $11.2 million raised through the capital campaign was invested in a capital account which earns interest to maintain infrastructure.
Channel 7's Telethon was the biggest single donor to the capital campaign ($5million over 5 years) and in recognition of this, the name was changed to the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.
Australian of the Year
Since 1960 the Australian of the Year Award has been part of the celebrations surrounding Australia Day , during which time the award has grown steadily in significance to become Australia’s pre-eminent award. The Australian of the Year announcement has become a very prominent part of the annual...
Professor Fiona Stanley
Fiona Stanley
Fiona Stanley, AC is an Australian epidemiologist noted for her public health work, and her research into child and maternal health, and birth disorders such as cerebral palsy.-Life:...
, the Telethon Institute of Child Health Research in Western Australia is a multidisciplinary research centre with more than 500 staff, post-graduate students and visiting scholars, working collaboratively to improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families. The Institute's priority in every area is on prevention – of disease, disability and disadvantage.
Research
Research at the Telethon Institute is focused around eight major streams:Aboriginal child health;
Asthma, allergy and respiratory disease;
Children’s cancers;
Healthy development;
Infectious disease;
Social and emotional wellbeing;
The early years;
Understanding disability.
The Telethon Institute is committed to ensuring that the benefits of its research are translated into real therapies and policies to improve the health and wellbeing of children. Since its establishment in 1990, researchers at the Institute have published more than 1630 scientific papers and advocated on behalf of children and families.
Some highlights include:
Discovering that folate can prevent spina bifida;
Hib meningitis vaccination;
Improving outcomes for Aboriginal babies and children;
Researching IVF outcomes;
Leading the world in the understanding, treatment and prevention of asthma;
Developing programs to reduce youth suicide;
Determining causes for cerebral palsy;
Improving the life chances for children with cystic fibrosis;
Increasing survival rates for children with leukaemia.
The Institute is a research hub for prominent scientists such as Patrick Holt, as well as the home of one of the largest longitudinal cohort studies, the Raine Study, which has been following the lives of thousands of children for more than 20 years. The Institute is an independent not-for-profit, non-government organisation.
Location
It is located at 100 Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western AustraliaSubiaco, Western Australia
Subiaco is an inner western suburb of Perth, Western Australia, situated to the north west of Kings Park. Its Local Government Area is the City of Subiaco.-History:Prior to European settlement the area was home to the Noongar Indigenous people....
, opposite Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children is a centre for paediatric research and care. The hospital is located on Roberts Road in Subiaco, Western Australia. It is the state's only specialist children's hospital...
, with which it collaborates closely. Ongoing collaborations exist with the University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
Department of Paediatrics, Curtin University and Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's Telethon, a major funding partner.
History
Formed in 1990 on the grounds of Princess Margaret Hospital (old nurses quarters) when Professor Fiona StanleyFiona Stanley
Fiona Stanley, AC is an Australian epidemiologist noted for her public health work, and her research into child and maternal health, and birth disorders such as cerebral palsy.-Life:...
and a group of population scientists (epidemiologists) from UWA (University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
) joined a group of lab based researchers from the hospital and formed the WA Research Institute for Child Health (WARICH).
By 1994, due to rapid success and expansion, it became clear that a purpose built facility was required. $11.2m was raised from West Australian corporates and individuals through a capital campaign (where money was pledged over a 5-year period) with the state and federal governments then matching this with $11.2m each.
The land was purchased from Perth Modern High School (it used to be their tennis courts which were relocated) and construction began in 1998. The new building was opened in February 2000.
The original $11.2 million raised through the capital campaign was invested in a capital account which earns interest to maintain infrastructure.
Channel 7's Telethon was the biggest single donor to the capital campaign ($5million over 5 years) and in recognition of this, the name was changed to the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.