Population Health

The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health

At the The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, we are committed to training the next generation of researchers and population health practitioners, who will improve the population’s mental and physical health through discovery, education and the translation of research into effective health policy and practice. Our work spans the full range of population health research.

ANU is the only Australian university rated “well above world standard” for public health and health service research in all three of the Excellence in Research for Australia evaluations (2010, 2012 and 2015).

Our research is conducted in the following centres and departments.

Centre for Mental Health Research

Established in 1975, the Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) aims to improve population mental health by leading research that has meaningful influence on policy, practice, society and individuals.

Centre of Epidemiology for Policy and Practice 

The Centre of Epidemiology for Policy and Practice (CEPP) aims to improve health and health services through excellence in population health research, implementation and education.
 

Department of Applied Epidemiology

The Department of Applied Epidemiology (DAE) aims to strengthen health systems response to established and emergent public health threats of national and international concern through high quality research, teaching, and policy guidance.
 

Department of Health Economics Wellbeing and Society 

The Department of Health Economics Wellbeing and Society (DHEWS) aims to promote equitable access to health care and improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians through excellence in research, implementation and education.
 

National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research 

The Centre conducts meaningful and transformative health research shaped by the priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Field sites & facilities

Explore some of the numerous of research sites and facilities established by our research schools in Australia and across the world. Researchers and students at ANU enjoy access to state-of-the-art equipment to help facilitate ground-breaking research.

Research projects

Browse research topics of the College of Science and the College of Health & Medicine with links to relevant researchers.

See our list of potential student projects to apply for PhB, Honours, PhD and other graduate degrees.

Stories

Two men wearing masks talk to each in a street in Cambodia.

Academic profile

Beyond the classroom: how field epidemiologists are trained

How do epidemiologists keep people from getting sick, and how is this crucial workforce trained?

David Follent poses for a photo in a stairwell at ANU.

Resource

Having a yarn: New tool focuses on closing the gap for Indigenous health outcomes

It took more than two months in hospital for David Follent to reconsider what a health journey should look like for patients.

A baby being breastfed

Research story

‘Health for all’: recognising breastfeeding as a carbon offset

Country investments in breastfeeding should be considered a carbon offset in global plans for sustainable food, health and economic systems.

An aeroplane used for aeromedical retrievals in remote areas of the Northern Territory.

Research story

More outback doctors needed for people and planet

Unnecessary aeromedical retrievals in outback Northern Territory results in social upheaval and unhappiness, financial strain, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Photo of a person holding an alarm clock

News

How daylight savings affects your sleep and what you can do about it

Daylight savings has a long history and surprising health risks. But little hacks can help us feel well when the clock changes.

Dr Mulu Woldegiorgis.

Research story

Almost one-in-five suffering from long COVID

Researchers found 90 per cent of the study participants with long COVID reported experiencing multiple symptoms.

A young woman smoking a cigarette and reading a book

News, Research story

Research leaves smoking stereotypes up in smoke

A first-of-its-kind national study from The Australian National University (ANU) has debunked common myths about who smokes in Australia and will help provide better support and potentially life-saving interventions for 2.5 million daily smokers.

Professor Ray Lovett is focused on filling a critical gap in the research about cancer and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

News

Addressing the gap in cancer research

From 2015 to 2019, the mortality rate for all cancers among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 45 per cent higher than in the non-Indigenous population.

From left to right: Associate Professor Grace Joshy, Research Assistant Sinan Brown, Professor Emily Banks AM, Research Assistant Mai Nguyen. Image: Tracey Nearmy/ANU

News, Research story

A decade-long program to address shortfalls in cardiovascular disease prevention

Researchers at the ANU have conducted a strategic decade-long program of work to address the shortfalls in cardiovascular disease prevention. This exceptional effort has been duly acknowledged and honored with the prestigious Research Australia Health and Medical Research Award 2023.

Sai Campbell has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.

Academic profile

Sai Campbell awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarship

Receiving a scholarship to attend ANU was life-changing for Sai Campbell.

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