Bound Volume for the degree of Masters of Applied Epidemiology

Abstract

This thesis details projects undertaken during my placement at the North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU) from February 2023 to November 2024. I worked at the public health unit before undertaking my Master of Philosophy (Applied Epidemiology) degree. Recently established in 2021, and as the first MAE student to be placed at the Victorian Public Health Unit. My time was valuable for reflecting on how public health and epidemiology had been in the past and how it could be done differently in the future. My projects comprised of: A group A Streptococcus outbreak in a primary school in Melbourne, Australia; Identifying and characterising geographic areas of Hepatitis B incidence in North Eastern metropolitan Melbourne between 2013 and 2022; Local level Hepatitis B care cascade surveillance: A Feasibility Study; Syndromic surveillance for air quality (PM 2.5) related health events: Relationships between ICD-10 codes and periods of poor air quality. This thesis also describes other experiences and public health activities during my placement. These projects and experiences fulfil the core requirements of the Australian National University Master of Philosophy (Applied Epidemiology) program.