About the Study
2000 stories Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study
The 2000 stories Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study is a landmark longitudinal study of adolescent health and development spanning 17 years (1992-present).
Initially, the purpose of this study was to provide a snapshot of adolescent health in Victoria. The results of this study were used to inform the State Government in the development of public health policy relating to adolescents. In 1992, students were recruited from a representative sample of mid-secondary school adolescents from 44 Victorian schools (24 Government, 11 Catholic, 9 Independent/Private). Two groups of students were recruited, the first in late Year 9 and the second in early Year 10. Approximately 2,000 students completed six surveys at school (six months apart) from Years 9 to 12.
The first six surveys alone created one of the most comprehensive pictures of adolescent development. This information has been used to improve the health of future generations by influencing policy and informing prevention programs.
Participants were invited to contribute to further waves of data collection and were surveyed again in 1998 (aged 21), 2001-2003 (aged 24) and at 2006-2007 (aged 29). At our last wave of data collection, over 1,500 participants completed the survey, giving us a retention rate of 77%. This is a phenomenal achievement for a study that is now in its 17th year.
From 1998, information was collected using CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews). A brief summary of what we have measured along the way is presented below:
- Mental Health (depression & anxiety)
- Drug Use (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, cannabis)
- Personality (your general style)
- Relationships (married, defacto, single, number of children)
- Physical health (height, weight, exercise, illness)
- Sexual Health (contraception, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, pregnancy, miscarriage)
The timing of the next wave of data collection is being reviewed.
How you have helped to improve the health of young Australians
The lives and challenges for young Australians today are remarkably different to generations before. Young adults today spend more time in education and training, settle into definitive jobs and life partnerships later on in life and have a first child at a much older age. How these changes might affect the health and development of the next generation is an important question asked by this study.
2000 stories: The next generation
In 2006 we received additional funding to speak to our participants about their experiences of pregnancy and parenthood, creating one of the first studies in the world relating to health and development across generations.