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The Raine Study: three decades of life-changing research

Between 1989 and 1991, almost 3,000 WA babies were recruited to the Raine Study - an ambitious research project which would yield a series of paradigm-shifting findings that changed scientific thinking. Three decades on, it has also changed the lives of those taking part.

Horse wisdom making a difference in the Kimberley

The Yawardani Jan-ga Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) research project, headed by Professor Juli Coffin in WA’s Kimberley region, is steadily growing its capacity to support the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of Aboriginal young people through the powerful medium of horses.

Protecting premature bubs from disability

Two international trials led by The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Neonatal and Infection Immunity Team are tackling the urgent need for simple and safe interventions that can help prevent the adverse long-term effects of infections in extremely preterm babies.

Young people key to suicide prevention

Young people and their families have teamed up with youth mental health providers and researchers to deliver a report which tackles youth suicide in WA.

Communications science to shift public thinking

Despite major advances in science in recent years, many Australians still don't understand the magnitude and importance of early years development to a child's life journey.

Research Topics

Discover more about some of the broad topics and areas of research that The Kids Research Institute Australia are involved in.

Childhood Depression

It's normal for children and teenagers to experience a range of emotions, including sadness, however childhood depression is more than just feeling sad.

Ear Infections

Middle ear infections are one of the main reasons that children visit a GP, are prescribed antibiotics and need surgery. Aboriginal children are particularly susceptible and commonly suffer from hearing loss which can affect speech and learning.

Prospective longitudinal study of respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses in children <5 years in community settings in metropolitan western Australia: the PATROL study

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in young children. Since 2021, RSV has been a notifiable disease in Australia. However, current surveillance systems focus on hospitalised RSV, with limited surveillance at a community level through primary care clinics. This approach only captures RSV requiring hospitalisation. Less severe illnesses, while not captured, may have significant social and economic impacts including the associated cost of care and absenteeism. The aim of this study is to establish an understanding of the broader burden of RSV in young children in a community setting.

Cost constraints in supporting the Healthy Living Practices in remote Aboriginal communities: A Western Australian perspective

The Healthy Living Practices (HLPs) outline nine essential guidelines for maintaining health in remote Aboriginal communities, yet high costs and poor availability make them financially out of reach for many families. We assessed the cost and availability of essential goods required to support the HLPs in eight remote Kimberley community stores, recording prices during three visits in 2022 as part of the SToP (See, Treat, Prevent) Skin Sores and Scabies Trial, and retrospectively comparing these (inflation-adjusted) with Perth and Broome prices in 2024.