Health themes
Explore Burnet's work and achievements in medical and public health research by health theme.
Our health themes
Alcohol and other drugs (AOD)
Alcohol and other drugs contribute to premature death, disability and social exclusion. We study these issues and takes a harm reduction approach to tackling them.
Health emergencies and pandemic response
Burnet is helping our region prevent, prepare and respond to health emergencies by supporting institutions to connect and work together effectively.
Healthy ageing and non-communicable diseases
People around the world are living longer. Older people are more likely to develop diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory conditions. These non-communicable diseases can reduce the quality and length of people’s lives and can last a long time.
Hepatitis B and C
In Australia and worldwide, the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are a significant cause of liver disease and liver cancer.
HIV
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks white blood cells in your body. Left untreated, HIV can damage your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off other illnesses.
Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases
Mosquitos are the most lethal animal species to humans. Annually, mosquito-borne diseases kill more than one million people and infect up to 700 million. Now, climate change is driving mosquitos into areas previously unaffected.
Sexual and reproductive health
Burnet's work aims to address challenges in sexual and reproductive health. These include rising rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), barriers to contraception, and inadequate access to gender-affirming and non-discriminatory healthcare.
Tuberculosis, COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, many Burnet researchers knew what to expect. They'd studied a similar disease before: tuberculosis. We're working on COVID-19, TB and other airborne pathogens that continue to claim lives around the world.
Women's and children's health
Women and children have unique health needs that are too often neglected. Uplifting the wellbeing of women and children can help us build resilient networks of care and healthier communities.
Young people's health
Young people aged 10 to 29 years now make up a quarter of the world’s population, the largest adolescent population in history. Burnet addresses 3 critical issues across adolescence: sexual and reproductive health, mental health and emerging health risks.
