Sax Institute Launches New Intergenerational Health Study
The 18 and Up project aims to track mental health and cancer trends among young Australians.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Cancer
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The Sax Institute has launched the 18 and Up study to monitor the health and wellbeing of Australians aged 18 to 45. The initiative seeks to fill a critical data gap regarding long-term mental health outcomes and early-onset cancer trends in younger populations.
Why it matters
Researchers currently lack sufficient longitudinal data to understand why younger Australians face increasing rates of mental disorders and early-onset cancer. This study provides a framework to link lifestyle data with official health records to identify underlying drivers of these trends.
The study is supported by a $4.5 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council. It intends to recruit 100,000 participants to build upon the findings of the existing 45 and Up study, which includes over 267,000 individuals.
The players
Sax Institute
An independent, not-for-profit organisation in Australia that specialises in the translation of research into health policy and practice.
National Health and Medical Research Council
The primary agency of the Australian government responsible for funding medical and public health research.
The details
Participants will be surveyed on their lifestyle, social circumstances, and medical backgrounds, with data linked to cancer registries and Medicare records. This approach mirrors the tracking methodology used in the 45 and Up study, which was established in 2006 to provide insights into aging and disease.
Timeline
The 45 and Up study began in 2006.
Data in 2025 indicated that smoking kills 66 Australians daily.
The Sax Institute launched the 18 and Up study on 29 October 2026.
Participant recruitment for the new study begins in November 2026.
The Big Picture
The 18 and Up study expands on the longitudinal research framework established by the 45 and Up study. This project follows the established research pattern of the 45 and Up study by applying similar data-linking techniques to a younger age demographic.
Participants will contribute their personal health and lifestyle data to assist researchers in building a national database for long-term health tracking. By linking individual information to Medicare records, the study aims to improve future prevention strategies for mental disorders and cancer.
The takeaway
This study highlights the growing focus on addressing health issues that emerge well before typical aging-related illnesses. By participating in such research, younger Australians help create a clearer picture of the factors contributing to early-onset disease and mental health challenges.
What happens next
Participant recruitment for the 18 and Up study is scheduled to commence in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and public health initiatives in our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Guardian.
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