Burnet Institute

02/04/2026

We're pleased to see these new strategies from ACDC to strengthen action against Hepatitis B and C.

New national strategies for hepatitis B and hepatitis C set the next steps to eliminate these communicable diseases as public health challenges by 2030.

Hepatitis B and C can cause serious illness, including liver disease and liver cancer. Many people don’t know they have hepatitis or are not getting care.

The strategies focus on:
✅ increasing education and prevention
✅ testing more and diagnosing earlier
✅ improving access to treatment and monitoring
✅ supporting community-based care
✅ reducing stigma and health inequity
✅ developing a strong evidence base for action.

A vaccine and treatments are available to prevent hepatitis B and serious complications, while effective treatments can cure hepatitis C. These tools can protect health and save lives.

Learn more about these diseases and the strategies designed to prevent them at: https://www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-and-articles/new-national-strategies-set-path-eliminate-hepatitis-b-and-c

Further support is available at HepLink Australia

30/03/2026

Australia’s Medical Research Advantage Strengthening our Innovation Economy A new independent report, authored by the Nous Group and released by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), shows that Australia’s medical research institutes deliver strong returns for both t...

25/03/2026

Women’s voices are critical to improving health outcomes for everyone.

Our new study in Papua New Guinea found that 9 in 10 pregnant women experienced a serious but treatable health condition, often with multiple conditions at the same time.

Women’s experiences revealed a clear challenge: they are often managing multiple, overlapping health risks during pregnancy, while health services are typically designed to address one issue at a time.

By listening to women’s perspectives, researchers identified important gap, and opportunities to deliver more coordinated, integrated care at the points where women already engage with the health system.

When women are included in research and decision-making, health services become more responsive, more effective, and more equitable.

🔗 Read more: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/png-women-s-voices-are-critical-to-tackling-multiple-health-risks-for-mothers-and-babies-new-study/

25/03/2026

23/03/2026

Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. TB is preventable and treatable, but only if we can find it. We have the expertise and the tools; we just need to make it even easier to take them into remote communities.

In East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, Burnet radiographer Kevin Wanowi is part of the screening effort. He uses a portable X-ray set-up to screen people for TB and other diseases, wherever they are.

🚛 Not long ago, screening relied on large trucks to carry the X-ray, a generator and other equipment. Trucks like this are expensive to maintain and difficult to drive around PNG's breathtaking, rugged landscapes.

🎒 Kevin's set-up fits in a backpack. He can take it into homes and workplaces across East New Britain. His laptop uses AI to interpret the X-rays.

👀 Watch the video to see Kevin and his equipment in action.

Check out the full video on our website: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/burnet-project-expands-access-to-multiple-disease-screening-in-png/

17/03/2026

Last week we marked a significant milestone in health system strengthening in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬

After 6 years of partnership, the national antimicrobial resistance surveillance system, supported by the Fleming Fund Country Grant, is transitioning to PNG national leadership.

This handover reflects what sustainable impact looks like: strengthening systems, supporting country ownership, and ensuring data drives better health decisions for the future.

Dr Frederick Charles, Country Director of Burnet Institute Papua New Guinea, said: “Over the past 6 years, this partnership has supported Papua New Guinea to build a coordinated national system for antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

“What has been established is more than laboratory infrastructure — it is a network of institutions, trained professionals, and data systems that will continue to strengthen public health decision-making in the years ahead.”

11/03/2026

Harm reduction isn’t just effective, it’s economically smart.

Modelling led by Burnet Institute, commissioned by ACT Government Health and Community Services and conducted in partnership with the The Australian National University shows that maintaining harm reduction services in the ACT could deliver more than $250 million in benefits between 2026 and 2030.

The current package of services delivers a benefit-cost ratio of around 10:1 – meaning every $1 invested returns more than $10 in health and societal benefits.

The research also found drug consumption rooms are cost-effective, even in smaller jurisdictions.

This analysis provides critical evidence to support sustained investment in harm reduction as drug-related risks evolve.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rkgeDV

07/03/2026

Today is International Women’s Day. If we’re serious about gender equity, we can’t ignore women leaving prison.

The weeks after release are the most dangerous, when support for alcohol and other drug treatment often stops. The risk of overdose and preventable harm is high.

Burnet Deputy Head of Justice Health Dr Rebecca Winter is leading SUSTain – a 5-year project improving substance use support for women transitioning from prison to community.

Together with Western Health and Flat Out Inc, we're co-designing solutions with women with lived experience and trialling new models of care to keep women connected to treatment after release.

SUSTain has grant funding – but grants don’t cover everything.

This International Women’s Day, you can help break the cycle of women returning to prison.

👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/4s3hTPh

06/03/2026

The cycle doesn’t start in prison.

Many women in the justice system are already facing trauma, unstable housing, social exclusion and poor access to healthcare.

When substance use is treated primarily through punishment rather than care, the cycle of disadvantage continues.

We’re working with women with lived experience, Western Health and Flat Out Inc to design better models of care for women leaving prison.

Because when women are supported to access drug treatment, instead of penalised for relapse, they have better health outcomes, social stability and improved dignity and agency.

👉 Donate today to support this work: https://bit.ly/4suClsd

04/03/2026

“In my life, I keep coming back to one simple question...

“What suffering could we prevent if we took it seriously enough?"

Roger knew what his legacy would be.

👉 To help where help is the hardest.

Roger decided to leave a gift in his Will to Burnet.

“What has resonated with me most is Burnet’s commitment to the kind of work that doesn’t always get applause:

prevention
preparedness
harm reduction and
equity.”

“It’s work where the ‘success story’ can look like nothing happened: No outbreak. No crisis. No tragedy.”

Roger says that while a Will is a practical document, for him, it’s also quietly personal.

"It’s a chance to say: This is what I stood for.”

Read Roger's story, and consider making better health your legacy today: https://www.burnet.edu.au/support-us/giving-in-wills-and-bequests/

04/03/2026

Leaving prison shouldn’t mean losing healthcare.

Too often, women leave prison without ongoing support for trauma, mental health or substance use.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

This International Women’s Day, help us break the cycle of women returning to prison.

Your donation helps fund practical support, such as transport, prescriptions and phones, so women can stay connected to care.

👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/40F5rsR

02/03/2026

When an outbreak begins, every day matters.

Our research shows that starting vaccination earlier (even within the first 15 days) can prevent a large share of illness and death.

Importantly, even when ideal response targets aren’t met, vaccination still makes a powerful difference.

In this video, Burnet modeller Dr Dominic Delport explains how faster responses don’t need perfect systems – they just need quicker action.

Learn more about the research: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/faster-outbreak-vaccinations-dramatically-reduce-preventable-diseases-study/?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=fastervaxvid