Our research

Why our research is important

Australians are facing increasingly complex challenges that are affecting their health, wellbeing and development across the lifespan.

Poor health, wellbeing and development impose a profound personal and societal toll. Conservative estimates place the annual cost in the tens of billions of dollars. We know this burden is not shared equally, with those facing social and economic hardship, disability or trauma experiencing markedly poorer health and developmental outcomes.

By intervening at the earliest opportunity, evidence shows that we can change the trajectories of people’s lives today and for future generations.

Across the continuum of care

Our research spans the full continuum of care. We study how to prevent problems before they start, including for people who face greater challenges. We investigate what works when early signs of poor health and development emerge, and we explore the most effective ways to support people living with long-term or more complex needs.

Across the lifespan

We investigate health, wellbeing and development across the lifespan because we know that every age and stage matters. Our research considers how our biology, experiences and environment can have a lasting impact on our development. We take an intergenerational view, recognising that what occurs in one generation will influence the next.