Australia has world class health and medical researchers who have been responsible for many life-changing medical breakthroughs. Advances in Australian scientific and medical research have seen our lives and wellbeing improve tremendously over the last few decades, in no small part thanks to volunteers.
National emergencies like COVID-19 reveal the true Australian generosity of spirit – and you may be wondering how you can help. The ability to conduct such vital research in Australia depends on researchers being able to find enough people to participate. This can be a long and expensive process, with many unable to find enough people; this is despite two-thirds of the community being willing to participate in trials relevant to them if they were asked.
This is why the Join Us register, created by The George Institute with the UNSW and in partnership with 35 leading research, health and consumer organisations is critical to the health of Australians.
The register allows for everyday Australians who agree to be contacted if there is a study that might be appropriate for them; relevant to their personal health circumstances and medical history. This cost-free, non-profit register will link interested individuals with pre-approved researchers aiming to combat Australia’s leading and hidden health issues.
Participants can quickly and easily sign up online, provide contact details and agree to their health data being used to match them to relevant research projects. Those eligible for an approved study will be contacted and if they are interested, be connected with the study’s researchers.
Australian researchers have been able to advance cancer treatments, develop ultrasound technology and create cochlear these incredible scientific advances would have been impossible without the valuable contribution of volunteers – like Joanne.
Following a hip replacement, Joanne (right) signed up for post-surgery research – recording her health experiences and completing online surveys. Joanne’s valuable insights have contributed greatly to medical understanding across a variety of fields, and, she has even managed to avoid knee replacement surgery herself.
“It’s important for people to know there are many ways to be involved in research that can bring real personal and community benefits.”
As a participant in the Join Us register, Joanne, an asthma sufferer living in a bushfire prone region, is now participating in a Kirby Institute study to determine the effectiveness of face masks as protection against bushfire smoke for people living with respiratory illnesses. By filling in a short diary entry each day, Joanne will be helping to improve the lives of asthma sufferers across Australia.
Join Us aims to achieve better health and wellbeing for all Australians by more rapidly advancing our understanding of the health of Australians and making these advances available to the community.
To volunteer to be a part of Australian health and medical research or to find out more:
Visit www.joinus.org.au. Email info@joinus.org.au Phone +61 2 8052 4798.
We would love to hear from you.
