Background

Michael brings extensive experience to his role having spent more than 40 years in a range of international health areas; communicable disease control (including HIV), maternal and child health and nutrition, and public health in emergency settings.

Working for eight years in Thailand, two years in Somalia, and ten years at the CDC in Atlanta, Michael has also undertaken short projects in more than 30 countries in five continents.

A founding member of Medecins sans Frontieres Australia, Michael is a member of the Global Fund Technical Review Panel, the Board of the Three Diseases Fund for Burma, and the Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Appointments

• 2006-present: Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
• Associate Professor, Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, USA.

Positions

• 2017: Board member Burnet Institute and Special Advisor on Nutrition
• 2013-2017: Deputy Director (International Program Strategy), Burnet Institute, Victoria, Australia
• 1995-2013: Head, Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute, Victoria, Australia
• 1986-1995: Medical Epidemiologist, International Health Unit, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA, USA
• 1983-86: Senior Health Adviser, Oxfam Australia
• 1981-82: Senior Health Adviser, Refugee Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Somalia
• 1976-80: Director, Ban Nam Yao Refugee Health Program. Nan, Thailand
• 1973-76: Medical Resident, McCormick Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Qualifications

• 1976: DTM&H. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
• 1971: MB BS Monash University, Victoria, Australia
• 1970: Bachelor of Medical Science, Monash University, Australia

Projects (5)

Current (2)

• 

  Building a Centre of Excellence for Research and Training for DR-TB in Daru, Papua New Guinea

• 

  Integrated solutions for healthy birth, growth, and development in Lao PDR

Past (1)

• 

  HHISP: Strengthening Papua New Guinea health systems

Publications (69)

2020 (2)

• Covid-19 Global Trends and Analysis - Global Epidemiology and Global Snapshots (Public Health Report)
  Toole M, Homer C, Umali S, Majumdar S
  Know-C19 Burnet Institute. 2020 Dec; Update 2(December):1-15
• Covid-19 Global Trends and Analysis - Volume 2: SARS-CoV-2 viral load dynamics and infectivity.
  Tachedjian G, Hearps A, Majumdar S, Toole M, Umali S
  Know-C19 Burnet Institute. 2020 Dec; Update 1(December):1-5

2018 (2)

• Forward to "Health in Humanitarian Emergencies Principles and Practice for Public Health and Healthcare Practitioners."
  Toole M
  Cambridge Press Ed. David Townes. 2018 May
• Critical examination of evidence for the nutritional status of children in Papua New Guinea - a systematic review.
  McGlynn PJ, Renzaho AΜ, Pham MD, Toole M, Fisher J, Luchters S
  Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018 Jan; 27(1):1-18

2017 (4)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Response to Humanitarian Emergencies 2007–2016.
  Boyd AT, Cookson ST, Anderson M, Bilukha OO, Brennan M, Handzel T, Hardy C, Husain F, Lopes Cardozo B, Navarro Colorado C, Shahpar C, Talley L, Toole M, Gerber M
  Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Dec; 23(December Supplement):S196-S202
• Polio's last stand? Despite setbacks, a fearsome disease is at bay.
  Toole MJ
  Natural History. 2017 Sep; 125(9):32-35
• Where is the science in humanitarian health?
  Waldman RJ, Toole MJ
  Lancet. 2017 Jun; Epub ahead of print
• Biofuel production and its impact on food security in low and middle income countries: Implications for the post-2015 sustainable development goals.
  Renzaho AMN, Jamara JK, Toole M
  Renw Sustain Energy Rev. 2017 May; 78:503-516

2016 (3)

• So close: remaining challenges to eradicating polio.
  Toole MJ
  BMC Med. 2016 Mar; 14(1):43
• Volunteering to help those less fortunate: Pathways for Australian GPs to acquire helpful knowledge and skills.
  Toole MJ
  Australian Family Physician. 2016 Feb; 45(1):26-30
• World Health Organization and emergency health: if not now, when?
  Checchi F, Waldman RJ, Roberts LF, Ager A, Asgary R, Benner MT, Blanchet K, Burnham G, d'Harcourt E, Leaning J, Massaquoi MB, Mills EJ, Moresky RT, Patel P, Roberts B, Toole MJ, Woodruff B, Zwi AB
  BMJ. 2016 Jan; 352:i469

2015 (3)

• It goes both ways: a cross-sectional study of buying and selling sex among young behaviourally bisexual men in Vientiane, Laos.
  Bowring AL, van Gemert C, Vongsaiya K, Hughes C, Sihavong A, Phimphachanh C, Chanlivong N, Toole M, Hellard M.
  Sex Health. 2015 Jul; 12(5):405-10
• A window of opportunity: Australian aid and child undernutrition. AUSAID Report
  Toole M, Marsh C, Comrie-Thomson L, Davis J, Brown M, Renzaho A
  Report for the Office of Development Effectiveness, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government. 2015 Apr
• WHO must remain a strong global health leader post Ebola.
  Kamradt-Scottemail A, Harman S, Nunes J, Roemer-Mahler A, Wenham C, on behalf of 95 signatories (including Michael Toole and Kate Cherry)
  Lancet. 2015 Jan; 385(9963):111

2014 (5)

• Setting the scene: locations for meeting sex partners among behaviorally bisexual men in vientiane, laos, and opportunities for health promotion.
  Bowring AL, van Gemert C, Vongsaiya K, Hughes C, Sihavong A, Phimphachanh C, Chanlivong N, Agius PA, Toole M, Hellard M
  AIDS Educ Prev. 2014 Dec; 26(6):538-553
• Transient benefits in young children of a nutrition intervention during pregnancy.
  Toole MJ, Renzaho A
  Lancet Glob Health. 2014 Nov; 2(11):e621-e622
• Identifying risk: a comparison of risk between heterosexual-identifying bisexual men and other bisexual men in vientiane, laos.
  Bowring A, van Gemert C, Vongsaiya K, Hughes C, Sihavong A, Phimphachanh C, Chanlivong N, Toole M, Hellard M
  AIDS Educ Prev. 2014 Apr; 26(2):109-121
• Addressing Child Undernutrition : Evidence Review
  Comrie-Thomson L, Davis J, Renzaho A, Toole M
  Report for Office of Development Effectiveness, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government. 2014 Mar
• The impact on child wasting of a capacity building project implemented by community and district health staff in rural Lao PDR.
  Coghlan B, Toole MJ, Chanlivong N, Kounnavong S, Vongsaiya K, Renzaho A
  Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2014 Feb; 23(1):105-111

2012 (1)

• Promoting safer sexual practices among expectant fathers in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
  Natoli L, Holmes W, Chanlivong N, Chan G, Toole MJ
  Glob Public Health. 2012 Mar; 7(3):299-311

2011 (4)

• The HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea.
  Coghlan B, Millan J, Malau C, Kaldor J, Toole M
  J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2011 Oct; 58(2):e48-e51
• Exploring the sexual networks of men who have sex with men and women in Hanoi, Vietnam - Final Report
  Siobhan Reddel, Pham Hanh Van, Nguyen Van Thuy, Peter Higgs, Khoat Van Dang, Rebecca Jenkinson, Caroline Van Gemert, Chad Hughes, Margaret Hellard, Mike Toole
• Exploring the sexual networks of men who have sex with men and women in Lao PDR - Summary Report
  Chad Hughes, Caroline van Gemert, Kongchay Vongsaiya, Rebecca Jenkinson, Amphoy Sihavong, Chansy Phimphachanh, Niramonh Chanlivong, Margaret Hellard, Mike Toole
• Exploring the sexual networks of men who have sex with men and women in Lao PDR - Final Report
  Chad Hughes, Caroline van Gemert, Kongchay Vongsaiya, Rebecca Jenkinson, Amphoy Sihavong, Chansy Phimphachanh, Niramonh Chanlivong, Margaret Hellard, Mike Toole

2010 (2)

• The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Papua New Guinea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
  Vallely A, Page A, Dias S, Siba P, Lupiwa T, Law G, Millan J, Wilson DP, Murray JM, Toole M, Kaldor JM
  PLoS One. 2010 Dec; 5(12):e15586
• In rural Tibet, the prevalence of lower limb pain, especially knee pain, is high: an observational study.
  Hoy DG, Fransen M, March L, Brooks P, Durham J, Toole MJ
  J Physiotherapy. 2010 Jan; 56(1):49-54

2008 (1)

• Building capacity and community resilience to HIV: a project designed, implemented, and evaluated by young Lao people.
  Hoy D, Southavilay K, Chanlivong N, Phimphachanh C, Douangphachanh V, Toole MJ
  Glob Public Health. 2008 Jan; 3(1):47-61

2007 (1)

• Influences on maternal and child nutrition in the highlands of the northern Lao PDR.
  Holmes W, Hoy D, Lockley A, Thammavongxay K, Bounnaphol S, Xeuatvongsa A, Toole M
  Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar; 16(3):537-545

2006 (3)

• Understanding male sexual behaviour in planning HIV prevention programmes: lessons from Laos, a low prevalence country.
  Toole MJ, Coghlan B, Xeuatvongsa A, Holmes WR, Pheualavong S, Chanlivong N
  Sex Transm Infect. 2006 Apr; 82(2):135-138
• District health programmes and health-sector reform: case study in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
  Perks C, Toole MJ, Phoutonsy K
  Bull World Health Organ. 2006 Feb; 84(2):132-138
• Hepatitis E virus infection as a marker for contaminated community drinking water sources in Tibetan villages.
  Toole MJ, Claridge F, Anderson DA, Zhuang H, Morgan C, Otto B, Stewart T
  Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Feb; 74(2):250-254

2005 (2)

• The back happy tap-stand.
  Hoy D, Beyer H, Morgan C, Toole M
  J Water Supp Res Technol. 2005 Jun; 54(4):261-263
• Micronutrient supplements in pregnant Nepalese women.
  Holmes W, Toole M
  Lancet. 2005 Mar; 365(9463):916-917

2004 (1)

• Alarming levels of hepatitis B virus detected among rural Tibetans.
  Clift A, Morgan C, Anderson D, Toole M
  Trop Doct. 2004 Jul; 34(3):156-157

2003 (1)

• Low back pain in rural Tibet.
  Hoy D, Toole MJ, Morgan D, Morgan C
  Lancet. 2003 Jan; 361(9353):225-226

2002 (2)

• Improving psychosocial survival in complex emergencies.
  Toole M
  Lancet. 2002 Sep; 360(9336):869
• DOTS-based tuberculosis treatment and control during civil conflict and an HIV epidemic, Churachandpur District, India.
  Rodger AJ, Toole M, Lalnuntluangi B, Muana V, Deutschmann P
  Bull World Health Organ. 2002 Jul; 80(6):451-456

2001 (1)

• Refuge for the selected few.
  Toole MJ
  Lancet. 2001 May; 357(9266):1426-1427

1998 (1)

• The effect of soap distribution on diarrhoea: Nyamithuthu Refugee Camp.
  Peterson EA, Roberts L, Toole MJ, Peterson DE
  Int J Epidemiol. 1998 Jun; 27(3):520-524

1997 (2)

• The historical development of public health responses to disaster.
  Noji EK, Toole MJ
  Disasters. 1997 Dec; 21(4):366-376
• The public health aspects of complex emergencies and refugee situations.
  Toole MJ, Waldman RJ
  Annu Rev Public Health. 1997 Jan; 18:283-312

1996 (3)

• Vulnerability in emergency situations.
  Toole MJ
  Lancet. 1996 Sep; 348(9031):840
• Impact of a mass vaccination campaign against a meningitis epidemic in a refugee camp.
  Haelterman E, Boelaert M, Suetens C, Blok L, Henkens M, Toole MJ
  Trop Med Int Health. 1996 Jun; 1(3):385-392
• Determining the Nutritional Status of the Elderly in post-cold war Russia.
  Toole MJ, Serdula M
  Am J Public Health. 1996 Mar; 86(3):299-301

1995 (3)

• Cholera deaths in Goma.
  Roberts L, Toole MJ
  Lancet. 1995 Nov; 346(8987):1431
• Evolution of complex disasters.
  Burkholder BT, Toole MJ
  Lancet. 1995 Oct; 346(8981):1012-1015
• Mass population displacement. A global public health challenge.
  M J Toole
  Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1995 Jun; 9(2):353-366

1994 (4)

• Cholera control among Rwandan refugees in Zaire.
  D L Swerdlow, O Levine, M J Toole, R J Waldman, R V Tauxe
  Lancet. 1994 Nov; 344(8932):1302-1303
• Infectious disease surveillance during emergency relief to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal.
  A A Marfin, J Moore, C Collins, R Biellik, U Kattel, M J Toole, P S Moore
  JAMA. 1994 Aug; 272(5):377-381
• Assessments of mortality, morbidity, and nutritional status in Somalia during the 1991-1992 famine. Recommendations for standardization of methods.
  L P Boss, M J Toole, R Yip
  JAMA. 1994 Aug; 272(5):371-376
• Population-based nutritional risk survey of pensioners in Yerevan, Armenia.
  S J McNabb, K Welch, S Laumark, D E Peterson, R C Ratard, M J Toole, T A Farley
  Am J Prev Med. 1994 Mar; 10(2):65-70

1993 (4)

• Refugees and displaced persons. War, hunger, and public health.
  M J Toole, R J Waldman
  JAMA. 1993 Aug; 270(5):600-605
• Military role in humanitarian relief in Somalia.
  M J Toole
  Lancet. 1993 Jul; 342(8865):190-191
• Crisis in southern Sudan: where is the world?
  B L Herwaldt, D C Bassett, R Yip, C R Alonso, M J Toole
  Lancet. 1993 Jul; 342(8863):119-120
• Mortality rates in displaced and resident populations of central Somalia during 1992 famine.
  P S Moore, A A Marfin, L E Quenemoen, B D Gessner, Y S Ayub, D S Miller, K M Sullivan, M J Toole
  Lancet. 1993 Apr; 341(8850):935-938

1992 (3)

• Development of health surveillance in Togo, west Africa.
  M J Toole, T Karsa, B Fitzgibbon, K Bussell
  MMWR CDC Surveill Summ. 1992 Aug; 41(4):19-26
• Micronutrient deficiencies in refugees.
  M J Toole
  Lancet. 1992 May; 339(8803):1214-1216
• Communicable disease epidemiology following disasters.
  M J Toole
  Ann Emerg Med. 1992 Apr; 21(4):418-420

1991 (1)

• Disasters: what are the needs? How can they be assessed?
  M Tailhades, M J Toole
  Trop Doct. 1991 Jan; 21 Suppl 1:18-23

1990 (5)

• The effective case management of childhood diarrhoea with oral rehydration therapy in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
  D L Hatch, R C Vreuls, M J Toole, M M Moteetee, I Monoang, C M Ngatane, D M Gittelman, R J Waldman
  Int J Epidemiol. 1990 Dec; 19(4):1066-1071
• Prevention of excess mortality in refugee and displaced populations in developing countries.
  M J Toole, R J Waldman
  JAMA. 1990 Jun; 263(24):3296-3302
• Surveillance and control of meningococcal meningitis epidemics in refugee populations.
  P S Moore, M J Toole, P Nieburg, R J Waldman, C V Broome
  Bull World Health Organ. 1990 Jan; 68(5):587-596
• Health problems in developing countries: an overview.
  M J Toole, R J Waldman
  Int Ophthalmol Clin. 1990 Jan; 30(1):2-6
• Priority health interventions in developing countries.
  M J Toole, R J Waldman
  Int Ophthalmol Clin. 1990 Jan; 30(1):7-11

1989 (3)

• Adequacy of refugee relief rations.
  M J Toole, P Nieburg, R J Waldman, B Person-Karell
  Lancet. 1989 Jul; 2(8657):268
• Tuberculosis control in refugee settlements.
  H L Rieder, D E Jr Snider, M J Toole, R J Waldman, J Leowski, H G ten Dam, K Styblo, M Gabaudan, M Tailhades
  Tubercle. 1989 Jun; 70(2):127-134
• Measles prevention and control in emergency settings.
  M J Toole, R W Steketee, R J Waldman, P Nieburg
  Bull World Health Organ. 1989 Jan; 67(4):381-388

1988 (2)

• The association between inadequate rations, undernutrition prevalence, and mortality in refugee camps: case studies of refugee populations in eastern Thailand, 1979-1980, and eastern Sudan, 1984-1985.
  M J Toole, P Nieburg, R J Waldman
  J Trop Pediatr. 1988 Oct; 34(5):218-224
• An analysis of mortality trends among refugee populations in Somalia, Sudan, and Thailand.
  M J Toole, R J Waldman
  Bull World Health Organ. 1988 Jan; 66(2):237-247

News Articles (60)

2021 (11)

• Protecting PNG from an escalating COVID-19 outbreak is urgent business for Australia
• Surging global cases of COVID-19 threaten Australia’s exit strategy
• Hotel Quarantine in Victoria: third time lucky?
• COVID-19 Timeline: How Science Matters
• Hurdles remain to our COVID-19 future, but it’s on the horizon
• Three ways to vaccinate the world and make sure everyone benefits, rich and poor
• Burnet welcomes COVID-19 vaccine rollout
• How long will COVID-19 vaccinations remain protective?
• Small holes make for big problems in pandemic Australia
• Tokyo Olympics plan is tempting disaster
• Hang in there, Australia — we’re in great shape but we’re only halfway through the COVID marathon

2020 (13)

• 2020 in Review: January to June
• 2020 in Review: July to December
• Victoria may have eliminated COVID-19, but eradication is a distant dream
• Blaming and shaming breaks a cardinal rule of public health
• COVID-19 gap widens between Australia and the rest of the world
• Masks, social distancing important as ever
• Go for gold. Why Victoria should aim for zero COVID-19 mystery cases.
• COVID-19 superspreading events highlight need for backwards contact tracing
• Refugees at serious risk from COVID-19
• Editorial outlines criteria for recovery
• Masks reduce COVID-19 transmission
• Deputy Chief Medical Officer supports wearing of face masks/coverings in Melbourne when physical distancing not possible
• COVID-19 response must include vulnerable communities

2018 (1)

• New project to address child undernutrition in Lao PDR

2017 (1)

• The science in humanitarian health

2016 (6)

• MDR-TB and malaria focus of $2 million research grant
• Call for research where it's most needed
• Evidence is clear in ANCP workshop
• Can polio be eradicated from last strongholds in Afghanistan and Pakistan?
• Cuts to foreign aid deeply disappointing
• Obesity, malnutrition an Asia-Pacific 'double burden'

2015 (5)

• Child undernutrition target of NHMRC grant
• Governor visits Burnet
• Burnet's focus on beriberi
• Burnet role in TB Forum
• WHO must remain a strong global health leader post Ebola

2014 (6)

• How cuts to foreign aid will reduce health care in the region
• How would Papua New Guinea deal with Ebola?
• World Polio Day: Pakistan children going unvaccinated
• Australian humanitarian agencies issue joint call to action on Ebola.
• CIA stops fake vaccination programs, but will it matter?
• Special HIV edition of IMPACT out now!

2013 (10)

• 2013: Year in Review
• How best to help the Philippines recover from Typhoon Haiyan
• Syria's polio outbreak is a global public health emergency
• Latest malaria data presented at MiM 2013
• A postcard from Kabul
• Experts call for unified response in tackling TB in Asia/Pacific
• Polio eradication efforts need money and political commitment
• Polio 'endgame' strategy launched
• Killing polio workers threatens grave consequences
• Burnet international health specialist awarded AM

2012 (3)

• Polio workers deaths may have grave global consequences
• Leadership changes in the Centre for International Health
• London Family Planning Summit: Australia to double aid

2011 (4)

• Prime Minister announces $50 million for polio eradication
• Burnet Institute joins push for polio eradication funding
• Multi-drug resistant TB emerging in Asia Pacific region
• New Directors appointed at Burnet