Population Health Research
Our Population Health Program team is dedicated to understanding the factors influencing the health and wellbeing outcomes of all Australians and our regional neighbours.
Population Health Research
Drawing on the expertise of our clinical scientists, epidemiologists, health economists, and specialist researchers, we examine the causes of disease, their transmission, and identify patterns and changes in the health of the population.
This knowledge is used to develop measures to control and prevent diseases, increase early detection and improve treatments to ensure the best possible health outcomes. The research we do is diverse. It ranges from examining the role of vitamin D supplementation in health outcomes to reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne illnesses and other tropical diseases; and from identifying environmental and genetic risk factors for disease to improving the wellbeing of those caring for cancer patients and evaluating the social and economic consequences of disease.
Our studies are helping develop treatment guidelines to ensure all patients receive the best possible care, prevent hospital admissions, improve wellbeing, and reduce mortality. The Population Health program is guided by the ultimate goal of preventing ill-health in communities and improving patient care, quality of life, and survival rates, so that all Australians and our regional neighbours have the opportunity to enjoy good health.
Leading Population Health Research
Professor Darren Gray is Program Director of Population Health at QIMR Berghofer. He is an infectious disease epidemiologist specialising in tropical diseases and heads up the Global Health & Tropical Medicine group within the Population Health Program.
Professor Darren Gray
Program Director
Professor Gray leads a research program that investigates the transmission and control of tropical infectious diseases and diseases of poverty, including some of the most prevalent and important infections that cause much suffering and economic loss worldwide. He aims to develop new public health interventions against these diseases that will lead to their sustainable control and eventual elimination. Prof Gray has worked in tropical health since 2004 including China, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, PNG, Bhutan, Fiji, and Timor-Leste.
Our population health research labs
Professor Gunter Hartel
Professor Stuart MacGregor
Professor Rachel Neale
Associate Professor Puya Gharahkhani
Professor Penny Webb
Professor Patricia Valery
Gordana Rašić
Dr Ellie Paige
Professor David Whiteman
Professor Darren Gray
Professor Amanda Spurdle
Research areas
Diseases & conditions
Learn more about our life-changing research into diseases and conditions.
Research programs
QIMR Berghofer is a world-leading medical research institute, renowned for our efforts in both discovery and real patient research.
Infection and Inflammation
We're tackling globally important diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites, as well as systemic chronic inflammation.
Population Health
Our ultimate goal is preventing ill-health in communities and improving patient care, quality of life, and survival rates, so that all Australians and our regional neighbours have the opportunity to enjoy good health.
Cancer
Preventing the leading cause of death in Australia.
Brain and Mental Health
Half of all Australians experience mental ill-health at some stage in their lives. Our researchers are developing treatments, finding the causes, and working out how to prevent these conditions.