Studies on health insurance coverage often rely on measures self-reported by respondents, but the accuracy of such measures has not been thoroughly validated. This paper is the first to use linked Australian National Health Survey and administrative population tax data to explore the accuracy of self-reported private health insurance (PHI) coverage in survey data. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• August 2023

To estimate the prevalence, distribution, and co-occurrence of mental ill-health and substance use among gender and sexuality diverse young people relative to their cisgender and heterosexual peers in Australia using population-level, nationally representative data. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2024
• July 2024

This study explores the differential impact of weather on time allocation to physical activity and sleep by children and their parents. We use nationally representative data with time use indicators objectively measured on multiple occasions for more than 1,100 child-parent pairs, coupled with daily meteorological data. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• July 2021

The relationship between physical activity and child health and development is well-documented, yet the extant literature provides limited causal insight into the amount of physical activity considered optimal for improving any given health or developmental outcome. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• June 2022

The reciprocal relationship between psychiatric and substance use disorders is well-known, yet it remains largely unknown whether mental health morbidity causally leads to addictive behaviours. This paper utilises a fixed effects instrumental variables model, which is identified by time-varying sources of plausibly exogenous variations in mental health, and a nationally representative panel dataset from Australia to present robust evidence on the causal impact of mental distress on cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking behaviours. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• August 2023

Using over 50 thousand time-use diaries from two cohorts of children, we document significant gender differences in time allocation in the first 16 years in life. Relative to males, females spend more time on personal care, chores and educational activities and less time on physical and media related activities. These gender gaps in time allocation appear at very young ages and widen overtime. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• August 2022

Hayley Francis Rosemary Karen Natasha Kevin Andrea Sarah Ha Helen Jon Phoebe Christian Mitrou Cahill Lombardi Pearce Runions Nathan Johnson Nguyen ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Brain and Behaviour
• Life Course Centre

The Telethon Kids Institute supports calls from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for transformational action if we are to secure a liveable future. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• News & Events
• News & Events at Telethon Kids
• 2022
• March

Emma Francis Ha Steve Francis Steve Francis Ha Steve Hayley Melissa Francis Steve Sarah Emma Carrington Steve Francis Steve Francis Steve Francis Ha ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Projects

The Human Development and Community Wellbeing Team conducts research across the lifespan from conception, childhood, and youth to adulthood and the social determinants that impact and influence outcomes. The team’s focus is on the broader life course of individuals and communities within the family, school, and online environments, and includes economic evaluation of programs and outcomes. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Brain and Behaviour
• Population Health Program