GenV turns 5!

In October 2021, GenV began asking Victorian families to help build something new, different and transformative. Cohort studies of children and parents already exist, but not at this scale and reach in Australia. Communities from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences across Victoria are taking part, making what we learn relevant for families everywhere. 

Five years on, almost 50,000 children and more than 70,000 parents are now part of GenV. About 30% of eligible Victorian families in 2021–2023 joined from every birthing hospital in the state. With linked health, biology, environment and service data, that's over 120,000 people’s information in one connected resource. This is a resource that is built once and used many times to answer thousands of research questions. 

GenV's youngest are now toddlers, and its eldest are starting school. As the children grow, so does what GenV can teach us about what helps families and communities thrive.

None of this exists without the families in GenV. To every GenV family, we are so grateful you are here and a big thank you from us all. 

‘Huge congratulations to everyone who has helped build GenV over these five years – the families who said yes, and every researcher, policymaker and partner who's turned that trust into momentum.

Our GenV children are now aged three to five, and we're entering an exciting new phase – learning more about what shapes health, development and wellbeing as children grow, and testing what can make a difference. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together and excited about what the next five years can bring for Australia’s children and their families.’

- Sharon Goldfeld AM, CCCH Director and GenV Deputy Director of Policy and Equity