Burnet Institute

Burnet Institute We're creating a more equitable world through better health.

Led by internationally-renowned malaria researcher, Professor Brendan Crabb AC, we have more than 400 research scientists and public health experts involved in groundbreaking discoveries and public health programs at Burnet.

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19/12/2025

Many thanks to our partners, collaborators and donors for your support throughout 2025. Burnet Institute will be closed from 20 December through 4 January inclusive. We'll be back online when Burnet re-opens.

Today marks one year since a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Vanuatu.Burnet Institute joins the people of Vanuatu in rem...
17/12/2025

Today marks one year since a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Vanuatu.

Burnet Institute joins the people of Vanuatu in remembering those who lost their lives and acknowledging the lasting impact on families and communities across Port Vila and SHEFA Province. We reaffirm our commitment to supporting recovery efforts and strengthening health emergency preparedness in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

We honour the resilience, strength, and unity shown by communities as recovery continues.

Read more:
https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/one-year-on-from-the-vanuatu-earthquake/

A life-threatening pregnancy condition can often be prevented with low-dose aspirin – if risk is identified early enough...
17/12/2025

A life-threatening pregnancy condition can often be prevented with low-dose aspirin – if risk is identified early enough.

A landmark Burnet study awarded nearly US$500k will identify women at risk of pre‐eclampsia in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Pre‐eclampsia is the leading cause of maternal and newborn deaths worldwide. It leads to an estimated 14% of maternal deaths each year. It’s also connected to around 7% of early newborn deaths.

“New tools use algorithms to predict a woman’s risk of developing pre‐eclampsia, and they are relatively accurate,” said Burnet Senior Research Fellow Dr Annie McDougall.

“But these tools were developed in high‐income countries, predominantly in white populations, and have not accounted for risk factors common in West or sub‐Saharan Africa, such as sickle cell disease, which is known to put women at a higher risk of pre‐eclampsia.

“Our project aims to improve the performance of these risk screening algorithms by adding factors that are more specific to sub‐Saharan African populations.”

🔗 Link in the comments to learn more about the study.

17/12/2025

What does youth-friendly care look like in practice? 🤸🏽‍♀️

Burnet expert Dr Elissa Kennedy recently co-facilitated adolescent health training for healthcare providers in Papua New Guinea.

One in 3 Papua New Guineans are aged between 10 and 24. One of the barriers they face is a lack of non-judgemental healthcare workers who are equipped with the skills to deliver responsive adolescent healthcare.

The training was practical and hands-on, incorporating role play so clinicians could learn how to respond when adolescents approach them with their concerns.

As one participant put it: “we didn’t only learn, but we put it into practice.”

Hear from Elissa and training participants in this video.

16/12/2025

What would your teen years have looked like without safety, support, or somewhere to turn?

It’s the reality for many young people in Myanmar – growing up through conflict, instability, and rising pressures on their mental and reproductive health.

Recently, Burnet leading experts Dr Elissa Kennedy and Dr Phone Myint Win shared powerful insights into problems adolescents are faced with in Myanmar, and what Burnet is doing to address them.

We need your help to expand community spaces so more young people can thrive.

▶️ Watch this recent information session with Dr Elissa Kennedy and Dr Phone Myint Win to find out how you can help change lives: https://myanmar-youth-appeal.burnet.edu.au/ --19

15/12/2025

“Sexually transmitted infections are considered taboos in our society so it requires special training to talk to mothers.”

🎥 Meet Kaylene. She’s an important partner in the campaign for ‘Triple Elimination’.

Triple Elimination is the global health campaign to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. Vanuatu and many other Pacific island countries have high rates of these infections.

In this video, Kaylene, a participant in the 'Healthy Family Toolkit Training of Trainers' in Port Vila, explains why this training matters.

Kaylene says that conversations about HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B can be difficult. These infections carry a stigma that can make it harder for mothers to seek care.

Through this training, Kaylene and her colleagues are learning how to have conversations with mothers and share the information families need to stay healthy.

For Kaylene, one of the most valuable parts of the program has been learning how to counsel women who test positive to HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B.

What happens next is just as important. Participants will take what they’ve learned back to their communities and train other health workers across Vanuatu. We hope this will make a big difference in the campaign for Triple Elimination.

This work is the result of a partnership between Burnet and Health Promotions Vanuatu. It shows the critical importance of locally led training.

🙏 With thanks to the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for supporting this work.

6 questions. 24 hours only. 🗓️ Check our Instagram Stories THIS Thursday 18 December to take the quiz: https://www.ins...
15/12/2025

6 questions. 24 hours only.

🗓️ Check our Instagram Stories THIS Thursday 18 December to take the quiz: https://www.instagram.com/stories/burnetinstitute/

Let’s see how much you know about sexual health 🤓

Come and get tested
(and go and get tested!)

04/12/2025

🤝 After co-design, delivery…

Earlier this year, Burnet and Health Promotions Vanuatu co-designed an approach to tackling the threat of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

The result? The 'Triple Elimination Toolkit' - tailored specifically for Vanuatu.

Ma­ny Pac­ific island countries have high rates of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis ­B. Mother‐to-child transmission is a major cause of this issue. We can prevent these infections - and well-resourced midwives and nurses are key.

Last month, Burnet’s Lisa Davidson and Aleesha Kalulu joined midwives and nurses in Port Vila, Vanuatu for the 'Triple Elimination Toolkit Training of Trainers' program.

The aim of this initiative is for these nurses and midwives to become trainers themselves, taking these tools back to their colleagues, clinics and communities.

🎥 More info - and see the class - in Aleesha’s video.

This work is possible thanks to the support of Canada in the Pacific.

Yesterday’s World AIDS Day event was a powerful mix of remembrance, truth and momentum.🖤💛❤️ We began with a Welcome to C...
02/12/2025

Yesterday’s World AIDS Day event was a powerful mix of remembrance, truth and momentum.

🖤💛❤️ We began with a Welcome to Country by Willie Pepper from the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council.
🤝 A panel of community representatives reminded us why people with lived experience must lead the response.
🧪 We heard about cutting-edge research and clinical insights during the mHIVE Scientific Symposium.

Burnet’s Professor Heidi Drummer spoke at the event. She said: “Let us recommit to equity, to partnership, and to a future where no-one is left behind.”

We thank everyone who attended and shared their stories. Thank you to our hosts, sponsors and partners for bringing community and science together.

Living Positive Victoria - LPV | Positive Women Victoria - PWV | Victorian Department of Health | Gilead Sciences | ViiV Healthcare | mHIVE | Thorne Harbour Health | La Trobe University | RMIT University | The Alfred | The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity



📷 Image descriptions:
1. Ko’lini delivering their lived experience talk at the event.
2. President of Living Positive Victoria Craig Brennan delivers his address at the event.
3. Burnet Head of International Development Chad Hughes in conversation with Javier, Marc and Percy as part of a panel discussion.

This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful and life-changing difference. Young people in Myanma...
01/12/2025

This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful and life-changing difference.

Young people in Myanmar are facing unprecedented challenges – and they need your help now.

Decades of conflict, economic decline and a collapsing health system in Myanmar have taken a heavy toll. With little access to safe spaces or vital health services, young people are often left to face overwhelming pressures alone.

But you can make a difference. This , help us raise $80,000 to roll out a new model of community mental healthcare – one that trains young leaders, supports parents and caregivers to improve youth services and engages key community members.

Donate today: https://myanmar-youth-appeal.burnet.edu.au/

01/12/2025

Why are some women more protected against HIV? 🤔

That question has driven Burnet researcher Professor Gilda Tachedjian for over 10 years.

This World AIDS Day, Gilda shares how her team followed the evidence to the vaginal microbiome – and found that lactic acid made by beneficial bacteria can kill HIV and support a healthier, stronger barrier in the reproductive tract.

Watch the video to learn more about this important work.

21/11/2025

Once unsure of her place in the world, Pa Pa is now a young leader helping others shine 🙌

Through Burnet’s Healthy Minds, Healthy Futures program in Myanmar, Pa Pa found the confidence and support she’d been missing.

Now she’s giving that hope back to other young people with disabilities.

Donate now to help more young people heal, belong and thrive: https://myanmar-youth-appeal.burnet.edu.au/

▶️ Video transcript: https://www.burnet.edu.au/support-us/appeals/yo-ung-people-in-mya-nmar-urgently-need-your-help/video-pa-pa-s-journey-to-confidence-and-leadership/

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Led by internationally-renowned malaria researcher, Professor Brendan Crabb AC, we have more than 400 research scientists and public health experts involved in groundbreaking discoveries and public health programs to address some of the most challenging and preventable global health issues.

MEDICAL RESEARCH. PRACTICAL ACTION.

Burnet is an Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, independent organisation that links medical research with practical action to help solve devastating health problems. This sets us apart from other organisations.

Excellence – Innovation – Impact