Applied Epidemiology on the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia, 2023-2024

Abstract

From February 2023 to December 2024, I completed my Master of Philosophy (Applied Epidemiology) (MAE) field placement with the Gold Coast Public Health Unit (GCPHU). In this thesis, I present the projects and additional experiences I completed during my placement.

My core projects are outlined in chapters two through four and include a combined data analysis and epidemiological study investigating the effect of a single SMS reminder on the timely uptake of childhood immunisations; an outbreak investigation of gastrointestinal illness after a local dance rehearsal; and an evaluation of the GCPHU Gastrointestinal Syndromic Surveillance System (GSSS). By completing these projects, the GCPHU has developed a greater understanding of local childhood immunisation coverage, identified gaps in community outbreak management, and provided recommendations to Queensland Health on the implementation of syndromic surveillance at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Chapters five and six describe my teaching experiences and additional public health activities. These include introducing my MAE cohort to non-communicable disease clusters; teaching the 2024 first-year MAE cohort about One Health in Australia; instigating and delivering sexual health promotion at youth events on the Gold Coast; developing public health communication material for the community; improving the GSSS enhanced data collection; and establishing an enhanced surveillance system for triaging pertussis notifications.

My work in this thesis not only satisfies the competencies of the MAE program but also continues to inform routine public health activities undertaken by the GCPHU. Show more