Family structures and experiences are diverse and continually evolving. Our research aims to understand and respond to the priority needs and greatest risks facing families around the world, including maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and healthy ageing.
We are working to improve reproductive health, with a focus on pre-conception health, as this is proven to lead to a lifetime of better health outcomes.
We are also working to improve the health and wellbeing of families in Australia and globally through research and public health initiatives that focus on:
- reducing the risk of blood-borne viruses
- increasing access to health services and care
- improving sexual health
- preventing gender-based violence
- promoting healthy ageing from birth.
Closely related to our work on pregnancy and post-partum health, and children and newborns, our approach to improving the health of families includes:
- community engagement and collaboration
- educating, training, capacity building and awareness raising of health professionals, researchers, policy makers and the general community
- developing new and more effective interventions
- developing and testing better ways to provide interventions to communities that lack access to them.
