Funders:

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

Collaborators:

University of Melbourne
Queensland University of Technology
University of Sydney
Queensland Institute of Medical Research 
University of Queensland
 

Aims:

The SUNFISH project aims to identify early life factors that affect lung health outcomes in a population-based First Nations birth cohort.

Objectives: 

We will do a lung function test at the preschool and primary school age visits. 
We will collect information from your/your child’s medical records to monitor your/your child’s health.
We will collect some samples (E.g. blood, nose swabs, hair). These are optional.  
We’ll check in with you every 3-6 months to ask about your child’s lung health. 
Your information will always be kept private.

As this is an observational study, there is NO treatments or medicines. 
You can join SUN FISH when your other Menzies study ends. 
The study visits happen at:

  • 2 years old
  • preschool age (around 4 years)
  • school age (around 6 years)
Summary:

Lung function (or how well a person’s lungs work) is linked to future lung and heart health and predicts life expectancy.  First Nations Peoples experience higher rates of lung disease than non-First Nations Peoples and the reasons for this are not entirely clear. Factors in childhood such as respiratory infections, smoke exposure, vaccinations and diet can have lifelong effects on lungs.  We will follow First Nations children, collect information on their early life and measure their lung function and key timepoints in childhood.

The project extends the follow-up of other Menzies studies including: PneuMatters, D-Kids, Pro-Kids. You/your child can join the SUNFISH study if you/your child:

- Are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
AND
- have taken part in another Menzies study: PneuMatters, D-Kids, Pro-Kids. We welcome families who live in Darwin, greater Darwin, Katherine, Wadeye, Gunbalanya, Jabiru, and the Tiwi Islands including Wurrumiyanga, Pirlangimpi and Milikapiti

 

Chief Investigator: 
  • Dr Danielle Wurzel
Project Manager: 
  • Cate Wilson
Contact information: 
  • Cate.Wilson@menzies.edu.au 
Project dates:
  • The project commenced in 2023 and is ongoing.