Our Population Health team is dedicated to understanding the factors influencing the health and wellbeing outcomes of all Australians.

Drawing on the expertise of our clinical scientists, epidemiologists, health economists, and specialist researchers, we examine the causes of disease, and identify patterns and changes in the health of the population. This knowledge is used to develop measures to control and prevent diseases, increase early detection and improve treatments to ensure the best possible health outcomes.

The research we do is diverse. It ranges from examining the role of vitamin D supplementation in health outcomes to reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne illnesses and from identifying environmental and genetic risk factors for disease to  improving the wellbeing of those caring for cancer patients and evaluating the social and economic consequences of disease.

Our studies are helping develop treatment guidelines to ensure all patients receive the best possible care, prevent hospital admissions, improve well-being and reduce mortality.

The Population Health program is guided by the ultimate goal of preventing ill-health and improving patient care, quality of life, and survival rates, so that all Australians have the opportunity to enjoy good health.

Professor Penny Webb, Program Director

Professor Penny Webb is the Program Director for Population Health at QIMR Berghofer. A Cancer Epidemiologist specialising in women’s cancers, she has enjoyed an esteemed career in medical research in Australia and abroad.

Professor Webb’s research interests cover all aspects of epidemiology of ovarian and endometrial cancer. She is a founding member of the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS) and the Australian National Endometrial Cancer Study (ANECS). She has also written a highly successful textbook ‘Essential Epidemiology: An introduction for students and health professionals,’ which has sold more than 35,000 copies worldwide.