Burnet Institute

11/03/2026

Harm reduction isn’t just effective, it’s economically smart.

Modelling led by Burnet Institute, commissioned by ACT Government Health and Community Services and conducted in partnership with the The Australian National University shows that maintaining harm reduction services in the ACT could deliver more than $250 million in benefits between 2026 and 2030.

The current package of services delivers a benefit-cost ratio of around 10:1 – meaning every $1 invested returns more than $10 in health and societal benefits.

The research also found drug consumption rooms are cost-effective, even in smaller jurisdictions.

This analysis provides critical evidence to support sustained investment in harm reduction as drug-related risks evolve.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rkgeDV

07/03/2026

Today is International Women’s Day. If we’re serious about gender equity, we can’t ignore women leaving prison.

The weeks after release are the most dangerous, when support for alcohol and other drug treatment often stops. The risk of overdose and preventable harm is high.

Burnet Deputy Head of Justice Health Dr Rebecca Winter is leading SUSTain – a 5-year project improving substance use support for women transitioning from prison to community.

Together with Western Health and Flat Out Inc, we're co-designing solutions with women with lived experience and trialling new models of care to keep women connected to treatment after release.

SUSTain has grant funding – but grants don’t cover everything.

This International Women’s Day, you can help break the cycle of women returning to prison.

👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/4s3hTPh

06/03/2026

The cycle doesn’t start in prison.

Many women in the justice system are already facing trauma, unstable housing, social exclusion and poor access to healthcare.

When substance use is treated primarily through punishment rather than care, the cycle of disadvantage continues.

We’re working with women with lived experience, Western Health and Flat Out Inc to design better models of care for women leaving prison.

Because when women are supported to access drug treatment, instead of penalised for relapse, they have better health outcomes, social stability and improved dignity and agency.

👉 Donate today to support this work: https://bit.ly/4suClsd

04/03/2026

“In my life, I keep coming back to one simple question...

“What suffering could we prevent if we took it seriously enough?"

Roger knew what his legacy would be.

👉 To help where help is the hardest.

Roger decided to leave a gift in his Will to Burnet.

“What has resonated with me most is Burnet’s commitment to the kind of work that doesn’t always get applause:

prevention
preparedness
harm reduction and
equity.”

“It’s work where the ‘success story’ can look like nothing happened: No outbreak. No crisis. No tragedy.”

Roger says that while a Will is a practical document, for him, it’s also quietly personal.

"It’s a chance to say: This is what I stood for.”

Read Roger's story, and consider making better health your legacy today: https://www.burnet.edu.au/support-us/giving-in-wills-and-bequests/

04/03/2026

Leaving prison shouldn’t mean losing healthcare.

Too often, women leave prison without ongoing support for trauma, mental health or substance use.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

This International Women’s Day, help us break the cycle of women returning to prison.

Your donation helps fund practical support, such as transport, prescriptions and phones, so women can stay connected to care.

👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/40F5rsR

02/03/2026

When an outbreak begins, every day matters.

Our research shows that starting vaccination earlier (even within the first 15 days) can prevent a large share of illness and death.

Importantly, even when ideal response targets aren’t met, vaccination still makes a powerful difference.

In this video, Burnet modeller Dr Dominic Delport explains how faster responses don’t need perfect systems – they just need quicker action.

Learn more about the research: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/faster-outbreak-vaccinations-dramatically-reduce-preventable-diseases-study/?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=fastervaxvid

23/02/2026

Outbreaks don’t wait. Why should vaccination?

New Burnet research shows that starting outbreak vaccination earlier, even within the first 15 days, can prevent a large proportion of illness and death:

🟠 Up to 80% of cholera cases
🟠 Up to 55% of measles cases
🟠 Significant reductions in meningococcal meningitis and yellow fever

Even when ideal response targets aren’t met, vaccination still saves lives.

Small improvements in speed can make a big difference, especially in high-risk settings.

Read the paper: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/faster-outbreak-vaccinations-dramatically-reduce-preventable-diseases-study/?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=fastervaxcarousel

09/02/2026

What do we really know about young people’s health?

Our 2025 S*x, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll Survey is prompting important national conversation. The survey captures the health knowledge, behaviours and experiences of young people aged 15–29.

Through our survey, we found that:
👉 s*xual health knowledge is mixed
👉 school-based education is uneven
👉 va**ng remains high despite known harm
👉 alcohol and drug use is common
👉 young people want broader health conversations.

"We need relevant, practical health education that truly meets young people where they are," said Associate Professor Megan Lim, Head of Young People's Health group at Burnet.

The survey findings highlight a clear need to rethink how we engage young people on s*x, drugs and health.

Explore the findings: https://www.burnet.edu.au/our-work/projects/young-people-s-health-in-australia-statistics-from-the-s*x-drugs-and-rock-n-roll-survey/2025-s*x-drugs-and-rock-n-roll-survey-results/?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=meganlimsdrrfeb26

06/02/2026

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve raised over $75,000 to help create safe, supportive spaces for young people in Myanmar 🧡

These funds mean we can roll out a new approach to community mental healthcare. Over the next 12 months, this looks like:
✅ 3,000+ young people accessing 40 community safe spaces
✅ 1,000 young people receiving mental health counselling and medical care
✅ 90 youth leaders trained and mobilised
✅ 500 households supported through home-visit packages

Our Myanmar Country Representative Dr Phone Myint Win thanks our generous donors: "Your help has been so important to create new, safe and inspiring groups – to meet young people where they are, so they're seen and heard. To give them a voice and ensure they have the tools to lead healthier lives."

Learn more about our work with Myanmar youth: https://myanmar-youth-appeal.burnet.edu.au/?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=donorimpact

Image description: Myanmar country office staff Pwint Thazin Hlaing, Theint Theint Maung Aye and Dr Zay Yar Swe.

30/01/2026

What is the Nipah virus – and should Australians be concerned?

Recent cases in India have put Nipah virus in the spotlight. Nipah is a rare zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and, in some cases, between people.

Bat virologist Dr Joshua Hayward, senior research officer at Burnet Institute, answers some of the most common questions, explaining what it is, how it spreads, and why strong surveillance and preparedness matter.

Read it here:

Bat virologist Dr Joshua Hayward answers some of the most common questions on Nipah virus.

15/01/2026

Supporting hepatitis elimination at every stage 🦠❌

Our experts are working together with communities, health services and governments to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Our work includes:
🔬 Developing point-of-care diagnostics to bring hepatitis C testing into community settings.
👥 Co-designing models of care with communities to improve testing and treatment access.
📊 Identifying cost-effective ways to improve hepatitis B birth dose vaccine delivery and management.
📝 Contributing to the first WHO guidelines for hepatitis C screening, care and treatment.
🏥 Increasing hepatitis C testing and treatment in community pharmacies through 'EXPAND-C.'
🤝 Establishing the EC Australia partnership to unite health services, community and government.

See link in comments to learn more about our work in hepatitis B and C.

09/01/2026

When a person in Papua New Guinea is diagnosed with tuberculosis, their treatment can be long and difficult.

Patients might take antibiotics for 6‐9 months, or up to 2 years for multi‐drug‐resistant TB. At the same time they might have to deal with side effects, stigma, and social isolation.

Patients need support to see their treatment through.

💡 That's where peer counselling comes in.

“Quality counselling ensures patients and their families feel empowered throughout their TB treatment journey and have support to overcome the many challenges involved in completing their full course of TB treatment,” says Burnet TB Specialist Oretha Paye-Mehngonzeh. Oretha leads a team of peer counsellors in PNG's Western Province.

As part of the Reducing the Impact of Drug‐Resistant Tuberculosis (RID‐TB) project, 22 patient education and counselling team members have now been certified as accredited counsellors through the PNG Counselling Association.

Many of these counsellors have lived experience with TB and will play an essential role in providing support that improves treatment adherence and outcomes.

Rachel Emilius, lead peer counsellor in Kiunga, says: “People build trust through counselling and our support. Counsellors guide, encourage, and show empathy. These are powerful tools that help people find strength and hope in themselves.”

Find out more about this initiative on our website: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/tb-treatment-can-be-long-and-difficult-in-png-peer-counsellors-are-helping/

RID-TB is supported by the Australian Government via the PNG Australia Transition to Health (PATH) Program.