2nd fact

Submitted by admin on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 14:23

21,500 babies are born prematurely - and this is increasing.

Who we are

The Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) is an Independent Research Institution and charity, formed in 1976. Our research focuses on the major health issues that affect newborns, reproduction and women's health at all ages.

We are closely affiliated with King Edward Memorial Hospital (the only tertiary level perinatal centre in Western Australia)and the School of Women's and Infants' Health at The University of Western Australia.

WIRF is also the charity of King Edward Memorial Hospital, helping to raise vital funds for equipment, new initiatives and providing support to facilitate essential research studies into women and infant health.

Our Mission

To conduct, support and promote high quality research in the fields of reproductive health and diseases of women at all ages, and health and disease in early life and their influence in later ages.

Objectives

  • To conduct and support research reflecting the Foundation’s mission.
  • To inform and educate the scientific and wider community of the results and implications of such research.
  • To develop a sustainable funding and relationship management strategy to support the Foundation’s mission.
  • To strengthen the Foundation’s collaborative partnerships with the King Edward Memorial Hospital campus, the UWA School of Women’s and Infants’ Health and other research partners within the wider research community.
  • To foster research excellence from new and established investigators working towards the Foundation’s mission.
  • To enhance the research reputation and standing of the Foundation by raising its profile across the scientific and wider community.

Prime Areas of Research

  • Fetal origins of adult and childhood diseases
  • Preterm birth: inflammation, infection and prediction
  • The placenta in healthy and complicated pregnancies
  • Improving maternity healthcare deliveries
  • Anaesthesia and pain relief in pregnancy
  • Health and nutrition of the newborn
  • Prevention of postnatal depression
  • Promotion and evaluation of breastfeeding
  • Women’s health problems in later life including menopause and cancer