The parents of all Victorian babies born in 2020 and 2021 will be asked to hand over their child's health records, as part of an ambitious research project aimed at solving the nation's pressing health problems.
Detailed information about more than 160,000 children is set to be stored in an enormous "data repository" through the Generation Victoria (Gen V) program unveiled on Thursday.
![Anita Bloom and daughter Rose are participating in a similar health study.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171201124719im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/4/y/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gzv0ta.png/1512089514896.jpg)
The repository could keep information such as health checks, weight and blood test results as well as school records including whether children arrive at class hungry, if they are left or right-handed, if they can hold a pen and if they are able to read.
Most of the information is already kept by different organisations or authorities, but has no central source.
![Three generous generations: Anita and Rose with Beth Alcorn (right), Anita's mother and Rose's grandmother.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171201124719im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/0/4/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gzv0ta.png/1512089514896.jpg)
"It will be one of the largest research projects in children's health in the world," said Gen V project lead Professor Melissa Wake.
"There is a lot of research waste. What Gen V is trying to do is make research much more efficient by creating a pool of information."
Gen V will be an opt-in program. Professor Wake said parents would most likely be asked if they are willing to participate soon after their baby is born, at the same time they are offered hearing screening.
She said the information would be de-identified to ensure privacy, with researchers and other groups able to apply to access the information.
With fears the current generation of children could be the first to be less healthy than their parents, it is hoped that the project will supercharge research into pressing health problems and childhood challenges including obesity, autism, asthma and depression.
"Despite a lot of gains in a lot of conditions, some of the big-ticket items we are just not making progress with," Professor Wake said.
Anita Bloom, a Reservoir graphic designer, has been involved in a research study for her entire life.
Her mother, Beth Alcorn, signed her up for the project, which looks at social behaviours, relationships and people's perspective on the world, soon after Anita was born in 1982.
I think it is a great way to contribute to society and the future.
Anita Bloom
Ms Alcorn said at one point she was filling out four questionnaires every year, which arrived by post. Later, Anita took over.
"When they started to send her questionnaires when she was 15 or 16, I never ever knew what she was being asked, that was her thing," Ms Alcorn said.
"I think my relationship with Anita was up and down during those years, so it would have been an interesting read," she said, laughing.
Ms Bloom, now 35, has a two-year-old daughter of her own, Rose, and the toddler has become the third generation recruited into the study. Rose recently participated in an observational play session.
Ms Bloom said she would encourage parents to participate in Gen V.
"I think it is a great way to contribute to society and the future, and nice to know you are helping out in that way," she said.
The Gen V program has been funded $24.5 million by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, which supports disadvantage-reducing initiatives.
![Health Minister Jill Hennessy is behind the Gen V project.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171201124719im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/3/y/e/e/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1511929898194.png)
Health Minister Jill Hennessy is behind the Gen V project. Photo: Jason South
Another $2 million has been pledged by the Victorian government. Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the study was particularly important because of its emphasis on prevention, as well better treatments.
The program will be led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne.
It will continue for at least five years but could become permanent if successful.