Our impact

We’re focused on delivering real-world solutions that have lasting health, societal and economic impacts for generations to come. Our research is helping transform people’s health and health systems by addressing current and emerging population health challenges. We work with communities globally to tackle issues that matter to them with an emphasis on equity, diversity and social justice. Our global network of academics, governments, policymakers, industry, clinicians, communities and key stakeholders deliver life-changing research benefiting those who need it most.

Case studies

Link between prison cell size and infectious disease transmission informs l

Prisoner populations are rising. Because of overcapacity, infectious diseases transmission in prisons is a concern. Prison cell spatial density (that is, the square metres of cell floor area allocated per person) is a key public health issue.

Shisha No Thanks! Preventing the harms of water pipe use

Shisha, also known as hookah and water pipe, is one of few forms of nicotine use that’s on the rise, along with vaping and roll-your-own cigarettes.

Ending COVID lockdown by targeting transmission with vaccination

To slow down the transmission of COVID-19, NSW Health asked researchers at UNSW School of Population Health whether targeted vaccination of younger adults in South-West and Western Sydney could turn the pandemic around and shorten the lockdown.

Improving the lives of young people with complex needs

The life pathways for young people with complex needs due to such experiences as childhood trauma, alcohol and drug use and contact with the criminal justice system or a combination of these experiences, are poorly understood. This includes the role of early intervention and treatment programs.

Co-designing Australia’s first trauma recovery centre

The lifelong impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence call for responses that extend beyond crisis intervention to also address the longer-term impacts of trauma.

Support COVID-19 communication with Linguistically Diverse Communities

Associate Professor Holly Seale, infectious disease social scientist at the School of Population Health, has conducted research and community engagement activities to help Australia’s COVID-19 pandemic response with a focus on communication efforts with CaLD communities.

Understanding supervision lapses in child drowning

Children under five are the age group most at risk of drowning, with an average of 23 deaths and 183 hospitalisations per year in Australia. Although parents are encouraged to supervise young children in and around water, a lapse in supervision is almost always a cause of drowning.

Research and impact

Our research is tackling the leading population health priorities with a single goal in mind – to identify solutions that can have the greatest impact and directly benefit those who need them most.

Specialist techniques and tools

We’re focused on delivering research excellence that impacts health at scale. We do this by using a range of world-leading and cross-cutting research techniques and tools.