Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study (IHMHS)

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Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study

The Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study (IHMHS) is the largest health study undertaken in Australian history. It will provide the most complete picture we have ever had of the country’s physical and mental health.

Nearly 60,000 Australians will take part in the IHMHS between 2021 and 2024. The information collected by the ABS will support the creation, delivery and evaluation of health policies and research over many years to help Australians live longer, healthier lives.

The IHMHS includes 4 national studies:

  • National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • National Health Study – including the National Health Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey
  • National Nutrition and Physical Activity Study – including the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
  • National Health Measures Study – including the National Health Measures Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander information will be released for all components except the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. 

IHMHS News

National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing – Latest results released 

The latest results from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing were released on 5 October 2023 including summary statistics on key mental health issues and national and state estimates of prevalence of mental disorders.

National Health Measures Study – Privacy Impact Assessment published

The independent Privacy Impact Assessment for the National Health Measures Study, and the ABS response, was published on 1 December 2021. The Privacy Impact Assessment explores the privacy risks associated with the National Health Measures Study and ensures these are appropriately considered and addressed.

Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study diagram.
This diagram shows the four studies that comprise the Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study. • National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing • National Health Study – including the National Health Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey • National Nutrition and Physical Activity Study – including the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey • National Health Measures Study – including the National Health Measures Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey.

The ABS was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to undertake the IHMHS.

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing and National Health Survey components of the IHMHS are now complete. Findings from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing were published in October 2023, findings from the National Health Survey are due to be published in December 2023.

The National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, and National Health Measures Study (testing of blood and urine samples, where people consent to be involved) are all currently underway.

Why do we need the IHMHS?

National health surveys are globally recognised for their important role in monitoring population health status and health risk factors, including trends over time. The IHMHS will provide detailed insights into:

  • The impact of mental and behavioural conditions and other chronic health conditions on Australians;
  • The use of health services and barriers to accessing them;
  • Factors underlying chronic conditions and obesity;
  • Dietary and physical activity habits;
  • Undiagnosed health conditions and nutrition deficiencies;
  • Biomedical factors that contribute to poor health outcomes; and
  • Lived experiences of suicide and related services.

IHMHS Current Field Status

Components of the IHMHS currently in the field:

  • The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey is in the field from August 2022 to February 2024.
  • The National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey are in the field from January 2023 – February 2024.
  • The National Health Measures Study is in the field from January 2022 through to 2024.

IHMHS Resources

For more information about the IHMHS and how the information will be used, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

The Australian Health Biobank, under the custodianship of the CSIRO, has been established as part of the National Health Measures Study. For more information regarding the Australian Health Biobank please visit the CSIRO website.

Further information regarding the surveys that make up the IHMHS can be found at the following pages:

 

An overview of the Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study was recorded in February 2021 by the Public Health Association of Australia. To view the recording of the presentation visit Events Info - Public Health Association of Australia Inc or for a copy of the presentation slides visit Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study.