Health for Life!

A study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (2003-2005)

Work is an integral part of everyday life.

The effects of work don't stop with the person who works, but extend to their family and community.

Now that most people do paid work as well as family care, it is vital to understand how work influences family life. This understanding can enable us to promote working conditions that enhance family well-being.

An investment in children now, will bring benefits now as well as in the future.

Our mission is to study how workplaces and policies can provide a work environment that helps parents balance employment and family.

Why do this study?

Work is a significant influence on the resources that people can invest in their families. Most obviously, salaries and wages are the major source of income on which families rely. In addition, working conditions may affect the time, energy, and attention parents have to give to their families, thus influencing family function, well-being, child development processes and health. Among employed parents, work is an important link between parental circumstances and children's social and health outcomes. Work affects not only workers, but through them, the health and well-being of their families including children. In today's economy, most parents are employed, and the nature and conditions of work are changing. By combining research disciplines (epidemiology, sociology, psychology and biology), we will gain a better understanding of how working conditions can contribute to family health.