The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health provides a unique response to the needs of women through excellence in research, community and professional education and clinical care. We translate the latest research findings into practical health and lifestyle approaches for women and their health professionals.

Established in Victoria in 1992, we are now regarded throughout Australia as a leader in women's healthcare. Our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of the 5 million Australian women aged 35+ years who represent 25% of our population. We adopt a three-fold approach to health and wellbeing: the integration of education for the community and for health care professionals, with clinical practice and focused research.

The Jean Hailes Research Unit is affiliated with both Monash University and Southern Health. The integrated research team is focusing on the continuum of adverse lifestyle, obesity, insulin resistance, insulin resistant syndromes including metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The progression through this continuum is not inevitable and the research team’s focus is on both mechanisms of prevention and translation of evidence to optimise prevention.

Collaborating locally, nationally and internationally in projects with other research organisations or undertaking single centre studies, The Jean Hailes Research Unit maintains an independent approach to research.

Our research interests focus on areas that impact the quality of life as well as longevity for women. The strength of our research program lies in our ability to produce solid results and focus on community health outcomes, in an environment that fosters quality research.

Professor Helena Teede

Director of Research

Professor Helena Teede is an Endocrinologist. Her special interests are in the effects of sex steroids and phytoestrogens on the cardiovascular system as well as education. She enjoys working in partnership with women and educating them in their choices to improve their quality of life.

Helena is currently a NH&MRC CDA Research fellow and her research has resulted in over 35 publications presented at local and multiple major international meetings and has attracted 10 awards. Helena reviews manuscripts from 10 health journals and is an invited grant reviewer including NH&MRC, National Heart Foundation, Australian Menopause Society and Cardiovascular lipid granting systems.

With a strong interest in education, Helena is a senior lecturer at the Department of Medicine, Monash University. She supervises PhD and Masters students and is Director of the Postgraduate Education Resource Group at Southern Health. As a member of the Australasian Menopause Society Council and current Editor of the society newsletter "Changes", Helena is able to extend her medical and educational experiences.

Helena currently consults at The Jean Hailes Medical Centre and is an Endocrinologist at both the Dandenong Hospital and Monash Medical Centre and works in private practice.

Further Resources

 Medical Research (97.33 KB)

Content updated March 19, 2008