Global Women's and Newborn's Health
We aim to improve the health and well-being of women*, newborns and families in the Asia-Pacific region.
About this group
Our work aims to improve the health and well-being of women, newborns and families in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. We focus on the major causes of maternal, perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and stillbirth. We provide expert guidance and support, strengthening the maternity care workforce.
We undertake primary research, systematic reviews, training and education in collaboration with partners in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Our focus is to:
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improve the coverage and quality of sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn healthcare, with an emphasis on timely, respectful, person-centred care
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target major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, peripartum infections, unsafe abortion, indirect causes, mental health and nutritional issues
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address the major causes of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight and neonatal sepsis
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provide expert guidance and support to strengthen the maternity care workforce, particularly through midwifery education and development
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prioritise women’s and newborn’s health in humanitarian crises and public health emergencies, including environmental change, civil disruption and disease outbreaks.
* We recognise that individuals have diverse gender identities. Terms such as pregnant person can be used to avoid gendering birth, and those who give birth, as feminine. However, because women are also marginalised and oppressed in most places around the world, we have continued to use the terms ‘woman’, ‘mother’ or ‘maternity’. It is not meant to exclude those who give birth and do not identify as women.
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Current projects
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Protektem Pikinini Blong Yu: Preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Vanuatu
This field trial compares the effectiveness of WHO-based viral load testing guidelines to an alternative model of care.
Global maternal and newborn health platform
We're gathering data on the care provided to women as well as asking women about their experiences.
Global collaboration to prevent pre-eclampsia with aspirin: the PEARLS trial
PEARLS is the world’s largest study on aspirin use to prevent pre-eclampsia.
Past projects
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Target product profile for obstetric ultrasound devices
The market for ultrasound devices is rapidly expanding, particularly as technological advances allow for smaller, cheaper, and more portable devices to be developed.
Characteristics of tools that measure blood loss after vaginal births: a new target product profile
We developed a document that describes the minimum and ideal characteristics of health products that measure blood loss after vaginal births.
WHO recommendations on antenatal corticosteroids and tocolytics
We supported updates to the World Health Organization’s recommendations on the use of certain medications to improve preterm birth outcomes.
News and features
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New Burnet funding for early-career research projects
Two exciting and diverse projects focused on Adolescent Health, and Women's and Newborns' Health in Lao PDR and the Philippines have been granted funding from Burnet’s Discovery Innovation Fund.
Exploring probiotic use for maternal gut health
A new Burnet study examined how probiotics could potentially treat gut-related conditions in pregnant women.
Midwives: our unrecognised critical first responders
On International Day of the Midwife, we pay tribute to the role of midwives in times of crisis.
Featured publications
The effects of probiotics administration during pregnancy on preeclampsia and associated maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM
Annie R.A. McDougall et al
An evaluation of the introduction of telehealth for remote antenatal and postnatal contacts in Bangladesh and Lao People’s Democratic Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic
PLOS Global Public Health
Sabera Turkmani et al
A Scoping Review Mapping Economic Evaluations of Midwifery Service Provision and the Midwifery Workforce
Applied Health Economics and Health Policy
Boe Calvert et al
Neglected medium-term and long-term consequences of labour and childbirth: a systematic analysis of the burden, recommended practices, and a way forward
The Lancet Global Health
Joshua P. Vogel et al
Effects of the WHO Labour Care Guide on cesarean section in India: a pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized pilot trial
Nature Medicine
Joshua P. Vogel et al
Harnessing partnerships to strengthen global midwifery education to improve quality maternal and newborn health care: The Alliance to Improve Midwifery Education (AIME)
Midwifery
Sarah Bar‐Zeev et al
L‐Arginine and L‐Citrulline for Prevention and Treatment of Pre‐Eclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Maureen Makama et al
Pathways, development needs, and clinical connections for midwifery faculty in low- and middle-income settings of the Asia Pacific region: A qualitative study.
Women and Birth
Rachel Smith, Joanne Gray, Caroline Homer
Resources
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AIME: Alliance to Improve Midwifery Education
AIME is a global consortium, including Burnet, working to strengthen midwifery education worldwide. This report summarises progress from 2021 to 2024
Aime Brochure 1 (2) [PDF 9.7 MB] -
Continuing Professional Development Framework for Midwives in Clinical Practice in Asia and the Pacific
This technical brief was developed by the UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Office for specific guidance on CPD programme development.
Group contacts
Professor Caroline Homer AO
Deputy Director – Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Co-Head, Global Women's and Newborn Health; Co-Head, Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening
Associate Professor Lindi Masson
Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health
Professor Joshua Vogel
Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health Group; Senior Principal Research Fellow
Student supervisor contacts
Professor Caroline Homer AO
Deputy Director – Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Co-Head, Global Women's and Newborn Health; Co-Head, Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening
Professor Joshua Vogel
Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health Group; Senior Principal Research Fellow
Group members
Professor Caroline Homer AO
Deputy Director – Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Co-Head, Global Women's and Newborn Health; Co-Head, Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening
Associate Professor Lindi Masson
Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health
Professor Joshua Vogel
Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health Group; Senior Principal Research Fellow
Alicia Ferguson
Masters Student
Associate Professor Alyce Wilson
Honorary Principal Research Fellow
Amanda Blair
PhD student
Dr Annie McDougall
Senior Research Fellow and Team Leader - Medicines in Pregnancy Research
Dr Aoife Hurley
Public Health Registrar
Dr Billie Bradford
Research Staff
Boe Calvert
Research Midwife / Research Assistant
Chanelle Warton
Research Officer
Dr Elizabeth Armari
PhD Candidate and Senior Research Officer
Dr Elly Layton
Public Health Registrar
Erin Ryan
Midwifery Specialist
Felicity Copeland
Midwifery Consultant
Dr Fiona Bruinsma
Senior Research Fellow
Jane Raymond
Midwifery Specialist
Jenny Jung
Research Assistant, PhD Candidate
Dr Joshua Ginnane
Senior Research Officer
Kara Blackburn
Research Midwife
Kate Mills
Research Officer
Katherine Eddy
International Health Project Officer
Dr Maureen Makama
Research Officer
Phoebe Nguyen
Research Assistant
Rachel Smith
Midwifery Specialist
Rodney Stewart
Senior Project Manager
Sarah Cheang
Honours Student
Dr Sayaka Horiuchi
Research Collaborator
Shan Huang
Global Health Specialist
Sieyin Phung
Program Manager
Zeshi Fisher
Technical Officer
Dr Sarah Bar-Zeev
Acting Deputy Discipline Head, International Development; Senior Research Fellow (Midwifery)
Jenna Wilson
Research Assistant
Dr Nina Radzey
Research Officer
Catherine Ives
PhD Candidate
