Jean Hailes research update

The Jean Hailes Research Unit undertakes independent research, as well as collaborating locally, nationally and internationally in projects with other research organisations. With researchers from many different backgrounds including medical, nursing, science and allied health, the team’s research interests currently focus on areas that impact quality of life and longevity for women.

Health-related behaviours

Health-related behaviours – that is, the behaviours we have that influence our health – are known to influence disease prevention, impact on healthy ageing and on the disease burden.

Our recent study into health-related behaviours as we age saw a random group of almost 1500 Australian men and women complete a survey on their current health behaviours and practices. This included studying their screening behaviours, attendances at health checks, health priorities, responsibility for health, and perceived future needs for disease prevention.

The study suggests age and gender influence health related behaviour. Australian adults perceive lifestyle as important, and their health a priority that is their responsibility, yet this doesn’t necessarily translate into action. In this survey, people indicated they were aware they needed to make changes and were ready to change, however, they weren’t taking any action to improve health behaviours.

The goal for researchers and health educators now is to optimise opportunity and support for Australians to improve health and prevent disease through development, marketing and evaluation of effective screening and prevention strategies that will result in behaviour change.

We will be recruiting for the health-related behaviours study in the near future. Please monitor our website for further details. To register interest in this study women will need to fit a lifestyle-related disease category, such as obesity, PCOS, gestational diabetes, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

The Foundation is at the forefront of clinical research on women’s health management with a special focus on prevention and early detection.

Exciting new gestational diabetes study

With 60 per cent of Australians overweight, and one in every four Australians affected by prediabetes or diabetes, this study will offer a simple intervention, and an education program at a community and individual level for women who are obese and at risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

Gestational diabetes occurs at around 28 weeks when pregnancy hormones cause resistance to the body’s hormone, insulin. It is increasingly prevalent with significant associated risks to mother and baby including stillbirth, difficult labour, increased caesarean sections, preeclampsia, low blood glucose and higher rates of jaundice in the newborn. Gestational diabetes also dramatically increases longterm health risks, including the risk of the mother and potentially the baby developing type 2 diabetes.

This study aims to:

• Identify women at high risk for gestational diabetes early in pregnancy
• Explore factors that influence health behaviours and lifestyle in pregnancy including risk perception and psychological wellbeing
• Identify modifiable behaviours and the barriers of these behaviours in women at high risk of gestational diabetes
• Investigate effectiveness of lifestyle and behavioural modification intervention in reducing weight gain and potentially diabetes during pregnancy and beyond
• Provide an evidence base to inform future interventions targeting education, prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes

There has never been a focused intervention targeting prevention of gestational diabetes. Current methods have been based on intervening when gestational diabetes develops.

Psychosocial aspects of premature menopause, including health-related behaviours

This project looks at emotional wellbeing, attitudes and beliefs about health in women with premature menopause. We are looking for women aged between 20-41 years who have experienced:

Premature ovarian failure (spontaneous stopping of the ovaries)

Surgically induced menopause (removal of the ovaries through surgery)

Chemically induced menopause (for example through chemotherapy for cancer)

We are also looking for women in this age group who do not have early menopause to take part. Information for this study will be collected by mail using anonymous, confidential questionnaires with questions about symptoms of menopause, mood, body image, health beliefs, the journey to diagnosis and sexual function. Your contact details will be held confidentially.

If you’re interested in being part of this study please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it including:

• The name of the study – psychosocial aspects of premature menopause
• Your name and contact details

For further information on premature menopause go to www.earlymenopause.org.au

Other projects now recruiting for healthy lifestyle and disease prevention

Emotional wellbeing in PCOS

A survey-based study of women with PCOS to assess aspects such as depression, anxiety, body image, self-esteem and risk perception.

New diabetes treatments

A study investigating new medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Interested in our studies?

For further information on any of our studies please log on to www.jeanhailes.org.au 

If you would like to volunteer for any of the trials currently being recruited, please send an email with your details to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 03 9594 7545.

© 2007 The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health

Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under copyright legislation, no part may be reproduced or reused for any commercial purposes. 

Content updated November 29, 2007