BPMRI Busselton Health Study

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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 20,000 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 understanding 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.

We're excited to see the launch of ECU's Psychosocial Interventions Clinical Trials Group (PICT) and proud that the BPMR...
11/09/2026

We're excited to see the launch of ECU's Psychosocial Interventions Clinical Trials Group (PICT) and proud that the BPMRI Busselton Health Study is collaborating on this important initiative.

Our Director, Michael Hunter, was pleased to present the Busselton Health Study at the launch and celebrate a partnership focused on improving access to evidence-based mental health support, particularly for people and communities who may face barriers to specialist services.

We're especially pleased that Busselton Health Study consumer representatives are involved, ensuring community voices and lived experience help shape research priorities and outcomes.

We look forward to working with the PICT team and partners to strengthen mental health research, build workforce capability, and improve access to support across Western Australia.
https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/nursing-and-midwifery/our-research/psychosocial-interventions-clinical-trials-group-pict

BPMRI Research Nurse, Sue was recently successful in obtaining an individual grant through the Rural and Regional Advanc...
03/09/2026

BPMRI Research Nurse, Sue was recently successful in obtaining an individual grant through the Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation program of the Mt Burdett Foundation. The grant was used to enable Sue to attend the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) 'Festival of Nursing' conference in Melbourne in July 2026, where she gained valuable skills in comprehensive ECG interpretations, chronic disease management, wound management and leadership development. In addition to this, Sue had the opportunity to network with peers and industry representatives for potential collaboration as her nursing career develops into the future. The knowledge and skills Sue developed by attending the conference will strengthen her capability for practice thereby benefiting our organisation and our local community through improving long term health outcomes. Thank you to Mt Burdett Foundation for the valuable opportunity this grant has provided our team.

New research involving the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study has uncovered strong genetic links between myopia (short-sight...
01/09/2026

New research involving the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study has uncovered strong genetic links between myopia (short-sightedness) and open-angle glaucoma, the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Analysing data from more than 34,000 participants across seven international studies, researchers found that people with a higher genetic risk for myopia were also more likely to develop glaucoma. The study identified 95 shared genetic regions linking the two conditions and showed that highly myopic individuals, particularly those with myopic macular degeneration, may face substantially greater glaucoma risk.

Importantly, the findings suggest that genetic risk scores could help identify people most at risk of glaucoma earlier, supporting more targeted screening and prevention strategies in the future. The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study was one of the key cohorts contributing to this international collaboration.
Article link: https://www.ophthalmologyscience.org/article/S2666-9145(26)00266-6/fulltext

How Busselton's world-leading health study helped shape modern medicine https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/busselton...
22/08/2026

How Busselton's world-leading health study helped shape modern medicine
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/busselton-health-study-turns-60/107054940?fbclid=IwY2xjawT064JwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7aIWHddAUcGC4695GXoVg3fQQR23n0Du1ZRpCnjIyrJs87_gC2cUp2CzJAzA_aem_AR4c4RI4e8tQdV1fd83xKg

Since 1966, the Busselton Health Study has made several life-saving medical advancements possible, changing the way some chronic diseases are treated around the world.

In the early years of the Busselton Health Study, local milkmen played an unexpected but important role in advancing dia...
21/08/2026

In the early years of the Busselton Health Study, local milkmen played an unexpected but important role in advancing diabetes research. By delivering glucose drinks directly to participants’ homes before testing, they helped enable one of Australia’s first large-scale community assessments of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. This pioneering approach led to significant discoveries, revealing that many people were living with the condition without any obvious symptoms. The findings highlighted the value of population screening and helped shape a greater understanding of diabetes detection and prevention.

At the Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, we're proud to have pioneered early diabetes detection and inter...
20/08/2026

At the Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, we're proud to have pioneered early diabetes detection and intervention strategies that have transformed global health practices. Our studies have revealed critical insights into the predictors of cardiovascular risk and contributed to the development of groundbreaking tools like PromarkerD, a blood test that predicts kidney failure in diabetes years before traditional methods. These advancements were made possible thanks to our dedicated team of scientists, medical professionals, and community volunteers. Together, we're shaping the future of healthcare and improving lives worldwide. Join us in this mission to advance medical research and population health.

The Busselton Health Study stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit. Initiated by Dr. Ke...
19/08/2026

The Busselton Health Study stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit. Initiated by Dr. Kevin Cullen in 1966, this landmark study was supported by a dedicated team of researchers, medical professionals, and volunteers. From local hospitals to businesses, the collective effort transformed medical research, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries like Professor Barry Marshall's Nobel Prize-winning work on Helicobacter pylori. It’s a legacy of innovation and generosity that continues to inspire.

18/08/2026

Have you visited the Caravan of Discovery yet? Come check it out from 10am to 3 pm daily this week at Mitchell Park Busselton Central.

For over six decades, the Busselton Health Study has been a beacon of medical discovery, thanks to the vision of Dr. Kev...
18/08/2026

For over six decades, the Busselton Health Study has been a beacon of medical discovery, thanks to the vision of Dr. Kevin Cullen and the incredible participation of a dedicated community. From mobile caravans to over 600 peer-reviewed publications, we've changed the landscape of preventive medicine. We owe this success to the countless volunteers, scientists, and healthcare professionals who have made groundbreaking research possible. Together, we continue to shape the future of population health. Let's celebrate this legacy of collaboration and discovery.

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18 West Street
Busselton, WA
6280

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