Our Story

The Busselton Population Medical Research Institute (BPMRI) is a charitable, not-for‑profit organisation conducting globally significant medical and population health research. With dedicated research facilities in Busselton and Perth, and collaborations spanning Australia and the world, BPMRI delivers internationally recognised cross‑sectional and longitudinal population health studies.

For over 60 years, BPMRI has served as a trusted steward of one of Australia’s most important community health resources – The Busselton Health Study – linking generations of Busselton residents to discoveries that advance human health.

Advancing Medical Research

BPMRI’s mission is to deepen understanding of the causes, progression and prevention of disease. Our research encompasses a broad spectrum of health conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, endocrine disorders, obesity and metabolic health
• Sleep disorders and sleep-disordered breathing
• Genetics, lipidomics and the biological drivers of chronic disease
• Healthy ageing, cognition and functional decline through the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS)

BPMRI manages an invaluable long‑term research database and Biobank, supporting researchers locally, nationally and internationally. These curated data and biospecimens significantly reduce the time and cost of research, helping to accelerate scientific discovery and translation into improved community health outcomes.

The Busselton Health Study

The Busselton Health Study (BHS) is the flagship program of BPMRI and one of the longest‑running population health research programs in the world. Since its inception in 1966, more than 20,000 Busselton residents have participated in surveys and clinical assessments, contributing to over 600 scientific publications and major medical breakthroughs, including early genetic insights into asthma and hereditary haemochromatosis.

The study comprises a series of major cross‑sectional and longitudinal cohorts, including:

• Historic repeated whole community health surveys (1966-1990s)
• Respiratory, metabolic and sleep‑related studies (1990s-present)
• The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study, assessing 5,000+ Baby Boomers across extensive clinical, cognitive and functional measures
• Current surveys (2024-2026+), including the Busselton COVID‑19 Effects Study, generating new health and metabolic evidence on reinfection, long COVID and chronic disease burden in the community.

With more over 60 years of continuous follow‑up, the Busselton Health Study is recognised as a world‑class research enabling platform that continues to drive innovations in health through powerful datasets, exceptional participant engagement, and a strong culture of collaboration.

A Community at the Heart of Discovery

The City of Busselton community remains central to the success and longevity of the study. Thousands of volunteers and participants across generations have generously enabled research that informs clinical guidelines, public health policy and global understanding of disease.