Young People's Health
Our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults, prioritising emerging health and social issues that impact young people.
Group Heads
About
We work to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults. We prioritise emerging health and social issues that impact young people and aim to:
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engage diverse young people
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build evidence to understand emerging health and social issues
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design and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve young people’s health.
Our focus is on young people experiencing disadvantage, particularly around:
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sexual health
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mental health
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alcohol and other drug use.
Through research, we've influenced government policy around issues like sexting, online pornography and social media alcohol advertising. This gives young people a voice to power.
Our work includes:
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conducting quantitative, qualitative and content analysis methods to understand emerging health threats
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engaging diverse young people through design and participatory approaches
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developing and evaluating interventions to educate, change behaviour and improve health
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advocating for evidence-based policy and practice change.
We also deliver education on sex, relationships, and pornography. We work with young people to understand how they want to engage in research and health promotion.
To work or collaborate with us, get in touch via email.
Help shape youth health policy
Are you 15–29 years old? Share your ideas on what health topics to research by emailing youngpeopleshealth@burnet.edu.au or sign up to participate and hear about opportunities.
Current projects
View 3 more
Young people’s health in Australia: statistics from the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey
Every year, we survey young people about their sexual health, drug use, mental health and wellbeing. That data informs public health policies and programs.
Young people’s health in Australia: statistics from the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey
Every year, we survey young people about their sexual health, drug use, mental health and wellbeing. That data informs public health policies and programs.
The Gist: a pornography education program to improve sexual health and wellbeing in young people
The Gist helps young people navigate sex and relationships. It includes a website, educational videos and in-person education sessions in schools and youth services in Victoria.
Past projects
View 5 moreCo-designing digital technologies to reduce young people’s exposure to online pornography
We're working with young people and their caregivers to review digital technologies that reduce access to online pornography.
Coping with COVID-19: Young people’s health and wellbeing in Australia
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption. We’re engaging with young people to design public health solutions that help this group and others in uncertain times.
Exploring alcohol and other drug use among migrant communities in Victoria
The project explored alcohol and other drug use among culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Wyndham.
Featured publications
Young Australians' use of pornography and associations with sexual risk behaviours
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Megan S. C. Lim et al
Trends in testing of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), sexual health knowledge and behaviours, and pornography use in cross-sectional samples of young people in Victoria, Australia, 2015–21
Sexual Health
Sarah Eddy et al
A Digital Pornography Literacy Resource Co-Designed With Vulnerable Young People: Development of "The Gist"
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Angela Davis et al
Reusable period products: use and perceptions among young people in Victoria, Australia
BMC Women s Health
Caitlin Ramsay et al
‘Censorship is cancer’. Young people’s support for pornography-related initiatives
Sex Education
Megan S. C. Lim et al
Exploring the Feasibility and Acceptability of Technological Interventions to Prevent Adolescents’ Exposure to Online Pornography: Qualitative Research
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Jake Turvey et al
“You have to drink with a little bit of shame”: Alcohol and other drug use among young people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Caitlin Douglass et al
Young Adults’ Use of Different Social Media Platforms for Health Information: Insights From Web-Based Conversations
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Megan S. C. Lim et al
Sexual Behaviors and Violence in Pornography: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Video Content Analyses
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Elise R. Carrotte, Angela Davis, Megan S. C. Lim
Reports and other work
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The Gist
The Gist is an Australian website providing straightforward, inclusive sex and relationship education for young people aged 15–24.
Visit The Gist website -
Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll survey results
Burnet's 'Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll' survey is run annually since 2005, and collects data on young Australians' sexual health, drug use, and wellbeing to inform public health policies.
Young people’s health in Australia: statistics from the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey -
Young people and social connection: design brief
These design briefs outline strategies to improve social connection among young people through co-designed community projects and evidence-based initiatives.
Burnet Institute Young People And Social Connection Design Briefs [PDF 384.8 kB]
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Social Connection Project report
Burnet report explores young Victorians’ experiences of social connection during COVID-19 and offers strategies to foster future connection.
Burnet Institute Young People Social Connection Project Report [PDF 872.6 kB] -
Young people coping with coronavirus: interim report
VicHealth report on COVID-19's impact highlights young Australians’ mental health challenges, emphasising support, communication, and youth involvement.
Young people coping with coronavirus: interim report [PDF 542 kB] -
Coping with COVID: 3 month report
Burnet report reveals COVID-19’s impact 3 months after the start of the pandemic on young Australians’ health, social media use, mental health, and concerns about education and vaccination.
Coping With Covid 3 Month Report [PDF 481.3 kB] -
Coping with COVID: 6 month report
Burnet report highlights COVID-19’s effects 6 months after the start of the pandemic on young Australians’ diet, social media use, mental health, and concerns about education and vaccines.
Coping With Covid 6 Month Report [PDF 431.0 kB] -
Intimate attidues, practices and knowledges
The report surveys Chinese-speaking international students in Australia, exploring sexual behaviors, STI knowledge, education, and pornography use for health promotion.
Intimate attidues, practices and knowledges
Group contacts
Main contacts
Associate Professor Megan SC Lim
Deputy Program Director, Disease Elimination; Head, Young People’s Health
Student supervisor contacts
Associate Professor Megan SC Lim
Deputy Program Director, Disease Elimination; Head, Young People’s Health
Group members
Associate Professor Megan SC Lim
Deputy Program Director, Disease Elimination; Head, Young People’s Health
Ana Orozco
Research Assistant
Dr Caitlin Douglass
Senior Research Officer
