The North West Adelaide Health Study is an initiative that will lead to better health for people living in the North West area of Adelaide. It is a study of the health of people in this area and will lead to a better understanding of the health services needed.
This is one of the first regions in Australia to make a comprehensive health assessment of the whole adult community. Adults of all ages, occupations, and states of health are included in the study. The people who have agreed to participate have a chance to make a major contribution to their community, and look after their own health too.
The people selected to participate in the study also represent other people like them in the population. Their involvement will have an effect on the health of many other people. At the same time they can be doing a great deal for their own health. Everyone receives the results of their tests and are invited to discuss these with their doctor.
The participants involved are a randomly selected sample of approximately 4000 adults who, in Stage 1 of the study, were invited to answer a few questions about their health, and visit a hospital clinic for a simple health check. Information was first collected from these people in Stage 1 between 2000 and 2002. See the page of information for participants for a description of what the tests involved here. Stage 1 of the study had a focus on measuring some chronic conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and risk factors (such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol).
Stage 2 of the study was conducted between May 2004 and February 2006. Just over 90% of participants helped us by completing the telephone and postal questionnaire, and approximately 80% of the cohort returned for their second clinic visit. This follow up allowed changes in the health status of the community over time to be assessed and the differences explored. The focus of Stage 2 was expanded to include additional chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
Stage 3 of the study has commenced, with the first clinic being held at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 23rd June 2008. The first clinic appointments at the Lyell McEwin Hospital will commence on the 3rd July 2008. From now to the beginning of 2010, we will be sending out letters to participants to let them know to expect a telephone call soon, inviting them for their next free health assessment. Once a clinic appointment has been made, we will then send out an information pack with materials about the appointment, including a map of where to find the clinic, as well as two questionnaires to return to the clinic and a urine sample jar.
Once again, we are investigating diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD - sometimes known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema), mental health and arthritis, and a number of risk factors that might predict developing disease at a later stage of life. New areas to be investigated include food and nutriton intake, understanding health informaton, lean muscle mass, genetic aspects of disease and linking individual data to additional health-related databases. Some groups of participants may be invited to help us in related sub-studies that explore aspects of chronic disease.
The North West Adelaide Health Study is being conducted by experienced medical and epidemiological researchers. You can read more about them here.
Website last updated: 1 July 2008
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