Sixty years ago, regional West Australian GP Kevin Cullen had a brainwave.
Dr Cullen asked his patients in the West Australian regional community of Busselton, 220 kilometres south of Perth, if they would agree to be measured, tested, and followed over the course of their lives — all in the name of science.
The response rate was astounding. More than 90 per cent of Busselton's then-4,000 adult residents agreed to take part, unaware their commitment would eventually shape modern medicine.
Caravans, fitted out with medical gear, were set up across Busselton, where nurses and doctors tested the participants.
"We wanted to see whether mortality would decline, and [what we found] was something that was most exciting," he told the ABC in the 1980s.
Since its inception in 1966, the Busselton Health Study has collected data from more than 20,000 participants and has published 500 scientific papers.
The findings have helped to shape clinical guidelines around the globe for life-threatening conditions including heart disease, sleep apnoea, diabetes and asthma.
One of the world's longest-running population health studies, it has now returned to the regional city with an interactive mobile caravan installation to celebrate 60 years of lifesaving work.
Lifesaving discoveries
In exchange for their time, participants receive medical tests valued at up to $5,000, which can include blood, respiratory, cardiovascular and cognitive testing.
For some, the positive impacts of one of the world's longest-running human studies hit close to home.
Dawn Townsend was motivated to start volunteering for the study after it saved her husband's life.
"It was something that he had seen in men who were fit and healthy who dropped dead on the doorstep.
"He's very happy to have gone to the study, found out what it is, and he's very healthy now."
Her friend, Jean Chant, has volunteered for more than 20 years.
Ms Chant's favourite part of the study has been the connections she's made along the way.
"It's lovely when I ring them, and they say 'oh yes, good, I'd love to come in. When can I come?'" she said.
But as Busselton has evolved from a sleepy town to a thriving regional city, convincing new residents to sign up has been challenging.
"Some of the newcomers to town aren't quite so familiar with it," she said.
"They need a bit of gentle persuasion."
Hopes for a further 60 years
Dr Cullen believed study participants should be informed of their results during testing, a change from the usual research model.
Busselton Population Medical Research Institute (BPMRI) director Michael Hunter said Dr Cullen's maverick approach to the research changed the script for health studies around the world.
"He firmly believed in preventative health medicine, and he was at the forefront of that concept."
To celebrate six decades of research, the BPMRI has converted a caravan into a mobile exhibit, featuring archival photographs, footage and medical apparatus.
Associate Professor Hunter said he hoped the installation in Busselton's city centre would help entice more participants to the study.
Honouring those in need
Brian Moxham joined the study to honour his late first wife, whose battle with cancer involved experimental treatments only available to her through research projects like this one.
"With immunotherapy coming through, [my wife] was one of the first people to try that," he said.
"I think it's very important that if any one of us around here can still contribute in some way to any sort of health aspects to pass on to the health experts … that's how we're going to sort [sickness] out."
Christina Park said contributing to the study had the added benefit of giving her peace of mind when it came to her own wellbeing.
"Going to a doctor is a little bit different, but I think with the aging study, they took more time with me so I was able to get more benefit out of it."
The study is now trying to track down the baby boomers from the first cohort in 1966.
