Improved preparedness for emerging infectious disease and threats

With emerging disease and chemical threats, it is essential to identify effective risk communication strategies for informing both the public and professionals, to promote and achieve appropriate behaviour patterns that mitigate public health risks. Centre members have strong track records in developing measures to contain public health risk effectively, particularly in the areas of biopreparedness and toxicology, as well as established international credentials in the domains of public health surveillance, disaster preparedness and toxicology.

They have extensive and unique practical experience in risk communication in relation to public health threats and chemical antiterrorism, aimed at achieving appropriate risk-reduction behaviours by the public, and a wealth of experience in developing and evaluating novel public health strategies. The Centre facilitates linkages between lead researchers and international Centres of excellence with expertise in chemical/ biopreparedness and behaviour. It is seeking to expedite knowledge transfer between these international Centres and the University of Newcastle through collaborative post-doctoral research scholarships and competitive international research grants.