An Australia-first research program exploring how common childhood diseases such as ADHD, asthma and obesity could be linked to household chemicals and air-borne particles will be based in Brisbane.
The Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute (QCMRI) in partnership with The University of Queensland (UQ)will launch the Children’s Health and Environment Program (CHEP) at the inaugural CHEP conference being held in Brisbane this week, 5-7 August 2011.
High profile international researchers including HRH Professor Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol of Thailand* will attend launch.
CHEP Director, Professor Peter Sly, said the program would enable researchers to provide a coordinated and focussed approach to environmental health issues in a way not seen before in Australia.
“Most people think our environment is of a reasonable standard. They might know about air pollution, but don’t think beyond that,” Professor Sly said.
“The reality is there are many substances within our everyday environment that could be very damaging to the health of children.
“In fact, the World Health Organisation believes 25 per cent of the burden of disease is related to environmental exposures.
“More research is needed so precautions can be taken, appropriate regulations can be developed and the health of our children can be protected.”
Professor Peter Sly said globalisation was another contributing factor and was affecting childhood diseases in ways not seen before.
“The way we are living has changed so rapidly in the past 100 years and we are now witnessing the impact of soaring population growth, crowded cities and the exploitation of the world’s resources,” he said.
“H1N1 or Swine Flu provided a clear example of the way global travel can help to rapidly spread infectious disease and highlighted the need for us to be able to collaborate and act quickly on a global front.
“Through CHEP, Australia will be able to collaborate with international groups, such as the World Health Organisation, while maintaining a special interest in issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region.”
At the upcoming conference some of the world’s most esteemed children’s health and population health experts will discuss new research on environmental toxicity in children, the effects exposures are having on structural DNA, as well as environmental exposures in the Asia Pacific Region.
“Among the many eye-opening presentations will be HRH Professor Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol’s key note speech on environmental carcinogens and visiting London paediatric respiralogist, Professor Jonathon Grigg’s, discussion on a new way to assess children’s exposure to air pollution,” Professor Sly said.
Professor Grigg, from the renowned Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry said he was honoured to speak at the inaugural CHEP conference, which he believed would set the standard for other programs around the world.
“At the moment, we have no similar initiatives here in Europe and CHEP will be an exemplar for future programs,” Professor Grigg said.
CHEP is an initiative of QCMRI as part of The University of Queensland and will conduct research projects via senior researchers and programs as well as higher degree research students.
The CHEP conference will be held at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Education Centre. Registration is $50 and $10 for students. For more information on CHEP or to register for the conference go to www.chep.org.au
Media: Marlene McKendry, UQ Facullty of Health Sciences, 0401 996 847.
*Professor Princess Chulabhorn has a doctoral degree in chemistry and founded the Chulabhorn Research Institute and Chulabhorn Hospital in Thailand to promote scientific research and provide treatment to cancer patients.
