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The Centre conducts research into the patterns, causes and prevention of illness in populations. Our aim is to identify and understand the social, behavioural, environmental and genetic influences on health and to translate this understanding into effective health and social policy. Questions of sustainable development and population health are also addressed. Our research programs fall into five Research Themes :

Biosecurity and Infectious Diseases
Epidemiological aspects of biosecurity and the control of infectious diseases are studied, including research into surveillance systems, outbreaks of emerging infections, tuberculosis, foodborne diseases, factors associated with transmission of infectious diseases and the assessment of control policy.

Environment, Climate and Health
Environmental factors affect health at several scales. We study the impacts of urban air pollution, environmental (especially UV radiation) influences on immune disorders, interlinked environmental, climatic and social influences on infectious disease emergence and spread, and health risks due to global climate change.

Population Health in the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific Region, with its mosaic of cultures, races, languages and economic systems, is the most dynamic section of the globe. Our research addresses its health challenges in the areas of health transition, maternal and child health, sexual health, quality of life and reproduction and family formation.

Society and Health
The way in which societies are organised has critical repercussions for health and well-being. For example, social status hierarchies contribute to premature mortality. Access to social networks, community resources and health services affect health seeking behaviours. Powerful cultural currents influence government and population responses to disease prevention. Our research addresses each of these major areas, paying attention to the health equity consequences of these important determinants of health. 

Theme Convenor: Jane Dixon

New Developments in Population Health Research Methods
In addressing a wide range of population health problems we often need to use methods that are interdisciplinary and innovative. As a result we extend current boundaries of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and are developing integration and implementation sciences.

Our web pages on epidemiology, biostatistics, sociology/anthropology, demography and integrative research explain how these disciplines and skills are used in our work.