A national perspective on pandemics, plagues and preparedness in Australia

Abstract

In this thesis, I present the projects and activities that I undertook to fulfil the core competencies required for the Australian National University's Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE) program during 2021 - 2022. During my MAE field placement, I was based at the Office of Health Protection at the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. During this time, I completed four research projects that contributed to both local and national epidemiological work. I was involved in a range of public health activities and had the opportunity to work at the Australian Capital Territory Health Directorate (ACT Health) to support the COVID-19 response.

The research projects comprise of an epidemiological study into national leptospirosis trends, an analysis of tuberculosis (TB) in the elderly, an outbreak investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in a childcare, and a feasibility study of influenza outbreak surveillance in residential aged care facilities in Australia.

The following thesis also presents a selection of public health experiences and activities undertaken during the MAE program. This includes, conducting teaching activities, contributing to the COVID-19 response at the national and jurisdictional health authority level, undertaking a national analysis of TB notifications for the TB annual report, 2019 - 2020, and participating in routine activities within the communicable disease epidemiology and surveillance section.

Together, these projects and public health experiences demonstrate my competency as a field epidemiologist and complete the requirements of the MAE program. Show more