Good, at least, in terms of the potential for research into diseases associated with an ageing population and poor lifestyle choices.

The University of Tasmania is hoping to partner with health leaders to attract national research grants and high-quality researchers to study locals' illnesses.

In what would be an Australian-first, UTAS would formally establish an Academic Health Science Partnership to build a "research road map" for Tasmania.

There is obviously plenty of good research being undertaken in the state already.

However, the ad hoc nature of individual-based research means the bigger picture can be lost.

Pulling all the research under one roof would help focus the work and see it applied more broadly.

Health Faculty deputy dean James Vickers said the approach would help the state attract national grants and take part in international studies.

Having the country's fastest ageing population is actually a good thing, Professor Vickers said.

" … we'll be in the vanguard of trying to figure out how to manage a population and keep it healthy for as long as possible," he said.

In terms of research potential, the nature of Tasmania's population gives it an advantage and is described as a "goldmine".

The residents are older than the national average, have higher rates of certain diseases, reliable genealogical histories and are contained geographically.

It is important work too for the rest of Australia as Tasmania can be seen as a crystal ball for what health impacts are headed the way of other states.

Diseases like dementia and diabetes are already prevalent in Tasmania but will gain a foothold on the mainland in the coming years.

While it seems incongruous to boast about poor health outcomes, the study opportunities afforded will hopefully lead to improved health for Tasmanians.

Who knows, the next breakthrough in dementia, diabetes or cardio-vascular disease could come from this initiative.