David N Dürrheim
Biographic Data
| ID | 3438944 |
|---|---|
| NAME | David N Dürrheim |
| GIVEN NAMES | David N |
| FAMILY NAME | Dürrheim |
| SIGNATURE | DÜRRHEIM D N |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Newcastle Australia |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9236-4861 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 22 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 22 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Strengthening field epidemiology capacity in Canada
Background Field epidemiology training programs (FETPs) play a critical role in strengthening public health capacity for surveillance, outbreak investigation, and evidence-based decision making. The Canadian Field Epidemiology Program (CFEP), established in 1975, was the first program outside of the United States. This study presents findings from a mixed-methods evaluation examining program outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Methods Canadian field …
Building epidemiological capacity to strengthen health systems
Introduction Papua New Guinea (PNG) has implemented a three-tiered Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) to strengthen their public health workforce. The first advanced (extended) level FETP (aFETPNG) commenced in 2019. This study evaluates the outputs, outcomes and impacts of aFETPNG. Methods Guided by an FETP impact evaluation framework, a mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for…
The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels
Australia employs an evidence-based approach to public health policy, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare access that is informed by relevant research. However, implementing effective policy can be challenging due to the complexity of various public health issues. Social and behavioral factors significantly impact individual and community health outcomes, necessitating a deeper understanding of their interrelationship…
Achieving and sustaining measles elimination in Hong Kong, from 1967 to 2024
Following the development and roll-out of the measles vaccine in 1954, measles incidence dropped to low levels in areas where measles vaccines with high coverage were introduced. The Measles and Rubella Strategic Framework 2021–2030 developed by the Measles & Rubella Initiative aims to eliminate measles globally by 2030. However, there has been a resurgence of measles cases after the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, including some in the West…
Priority indicators for evaluating the impact of field epidemiology training programs – results of a global modified Delphi study
This study presents the first FETP impact evaluation framework with a comprehensive list of evaluation indicators for FETPs. This list of indicators is intended as a resource to promote and enhance the evaluation of FETPs and thus improve these important training programs which aim to strengthen national, regional and global health security
Estimating the future global dose demand for measles–rubella microarray patches
Background: Progress toward measles and rubella (MR) elimination has stagnated as countries are unable to reach the required 95% vaccine coverage. Microarray patches (MAPs) are anticipated to offer significant programmatic advantages to needle and syringe (N/S) presentation and increase MR vaccination coverage. A demand forecast analysis of the programmatic doses required (PDR) could accelerate MR-MAP development by informing the size and return …
Embedding Aboriginal cultural governance, capacity, perspectives and leadership into a local Public Health Unit Incident Command System during Covid-19 in New South Wales, Australia
This case study describes the development and implementation of a governance structure that prioritised First Nations peoples in a local public health Incident Command System activated for the COVID-19 pandemic response in New South Wales, Australia. Using lessons learnt from past pandemics and planning exercises, public health leaders embedded an approach whereby First Nations peoples determined and led community and culturally informed pandemic…
Accelerating the Development of Measles and Rubella Microarray Patches to Eliminate Measles and Rubella
Measles and rubella microarray patches (MR-MAPs) are critical in achieving measles and rubella eradication, a goal highly unlikely to meet with current vaccines presentations. With low commercial incentive to MAP developers, limited and uncertain funding, the need for investment in a novel manufacturing facility, and remaining questions about the source of antigen, product demand, and regulatory pathway, MR-MAPs are unlikely to be prequalified by…
Time for action
box The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed once again how gender and other inequalities are inter-related with and worsen health disparities. Gender shapes risk of infection, vulnerability to disease and experience of ill health, and socioeconomic disparities.1 Important interplays between biological sex and gender, as a social construct, and other variables such as age, race and ethnicity, and other health conditions, have demonstrated differential r…
Parent-level barriers to uptake of childhood vaccination
INTRODUCTION: Understanding barriers to childhood vaccination is crucial to inform effective interventions for maximising uptake. Published systematic reviews include different primary studies, producing varying lists of barriers. To make sense of this diverse body of literature, a comprehensive level of summary and synthesis is necessary. This overview of systematic reviews maps all potential parent-level barriers to childhood vaccination identi…
Combining First Nations Research Methods with a World Health Organization Guide to Understand Low Childhood Immunisation Coverage in Children in Tamworth, Australia
In Australia, we used the World Health Organization’s Tailoring Immunization Programmes to identify areas of low immunisation coverage in First Nations children. The qualitative study was led by First Nations researchers using a strength-based approach. In 2019, Tamworth had 179 (23%) children who were overdue for immunisations. Yarning sessions were conducted with 50 parents and health providers. Themes that emerged from this research included: …
Working With an Aboriginal Community to Understand Drinking Water Perceptions and Acceptance in Rural New South Wales
This study explored the Walhallow Aboriginal community’s experiences with drinking water to gain a shared understanding about community concerns and to develop ways to address these concerns together. There is a strong connection between people and water, as well as a need to appreciate the social factors associated with the unique cultural and socioeconomic factors that the provision of drinking water has for Aboriginal communities. We used a mi…
Cross sectional survey of human-bat interaction in Australia
Background Flying foxes (megachiroptera) and insectivorous microbats (microchiroptera) are the known reservoirs for a range of recently emerged, highly pathogenic viruses. In Australia there is public health concern relating to bats’ role as reservoirs of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), which has clinical features identical to classical rabies. Three deaths from ABLV have occurred in Australia. A survey was conducted to determine the frequency …
Local level epidemiological analysis of TB in people from a high incidence country of birth
Analysing local area TB rates and possible explanatory variables can provide useful insights into the epidemiology of TB. TB notification rates that take country of birth in local areas into account could enable health services to strategically target TB control measures
Sustaining surveillance
Prior to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) had agreed to develop a standardised, simple syndromic surveillance system to ensure compliance with International Health Regulations requirements (rapid outbreak detection, information sharing and response to outbreaks). In October 2010, the new system was introduced and over the next 12 months implemented in 20 of 22 PICTs. An evaluation was conducted to ident…
Pacific-wide simplified syndromic surveillance for early warning of outbreaks
The International Health Regulations require timely detection and response to outbreaks. Many attempts to set up an outbreak early warning system in Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) have failed. Most were modelled on systems from large countries; large amounts of data often overwhelmed small public health teams. Many conditions required overseas laboratory confirmation, further reducing timeliness and completeness. To improve time…
Modifying the GRADE framework could benefit public health
Objectives Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has profound implications for patients and families. The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the effects caring for a child with SMA has on the costs incurred by families caring for a child with SMA from carer perspectives to identify gaps in provision of care, inform public policy and cost-effectiveness analyses. Design Interpretive phenomenological analysis guided the delivery and analysis…
A structured framework for improving outbreak investigation audits
The framework was acceptable to participants, provided an opportunity for clarifying perceptions and enhancing partnership approaches, and provided useful recommendations for approaching future outbreaks. Future challenges include incorporating feedback from broader stakeholder groups, for example those of affected cases, institutions and businesses; assessing the quality of a specific audit; developing training for both participants and facilita…
Household disaster preparedness and information sources
Broadcast media are important information sources immediately before and during disasters. Health services should promote awareness of broadcast networks' disaster role, especially the role of radio, and encourage general household disaster preparedness. A rapid cluster survey conducted shortly after a natural disaster provided practical, robust information for disaster planning
Assuring effective malaria treatment in Africa
Malaria must be tackled as an economic and social issue. Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to antimalarial drugs has fuelled an increase in malaria prevalence and malaria specific mortality during the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa.1 Promising efficacy results from field trials of artemisinin containing combination therapy (ACT) are a source of optimism and numerous African countries are considering changing first line malaria drug…
Beyond evidence
There is a growing appreciation that decisions on changing drug treatment policy should be based on robust evidence of drug effectiveness. No published information describing the process of decision making prior to malaria treatment policy changes or subsequent success in implementing treatment policy changes exists in South Africa. This retrospective study of the differential implementation of a policy change from chloroquine to sulphadoxine-pyr…
Global leprosy elimination
Contentious elimination target requires rethinking Despite the World Health Assembly’s enthusiastic adoption in 1991 of a resolution to “eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000”, it remains an important cause of global chronic neurological disability.1 The optimistic belief that leprosy could be conquered despite a limited understanding of its epidemiology was principally based on the availability of effective multidrug trea…
Modifying the GRADE framework could benefit public health
Objectives Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has profound implications for patients and families. The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the effects caring for a child with SMA has on the costs incurred by families caring for a child with SMA from carer perspectives to identify gaps in provision of care, inform public policy and cost-effectiveness analyses. Design Interpretive phenomenological analysis guided the delivery and analysis…
Assuring effective malaria treatment in Africa
Malaria must be tackled as an economic and social issue. Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to antimalarial drugs has fuelled an increase in malaria prevalence and malaria specific mortality during the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa.1 Promising efficacy results from field trials of artemisinin containing combination therapy (ACT) are a source of optimism and numerous African countries are considering changing first line malaria drug…
Global leprosy elimination
Contentious elimination target requires rethinking Despite the World Health Assembly’s enthusiastic adoption in 1991 of a resolution to “eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000”, it remains an important cause of global chronic neurological disability.1 The optimistic belief that leprosy could be conquered despite a limited understanding of its epidemiology was principally based on the availability of effective multidrug trea…
Beyond evidence
There is a growing appreciation that decisions on changing drug treatment policy should be based on robust evidence of drug effectiveness. No published information describing the process of decision making prior to malaria treatment policy changes or subsequent success in implementing treatment policy changes exists in South Africa. This retrospective study of the differential implementation of a policy change from chloroquine to sulphadoxine-pyr…
Global leprosy elimination
Contentious elimination target requires rethinking Despite the World Health Assembly’s enthusiastic adoption in 1991 of a resolution to “eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000”, it remains an important cause of global chronic neurological disability.1 The optimistic belief that leprosy could be conquered despite a limited understanding of its epidemiology was principally based on the availability of effective multidrug trea…
Assuring effective malaria treatment in Africa
Malaria must be tackled as an economic and social issue. Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to antimalarial drugs has fuelled an increase in malaria prevalence and malaria specific mortality during the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa.1 Promising efficacy results from field trials of artemisinin containing combination therapy (ACT) are a source of optimism and numerous African countries are considering changing first line malaria drug…
Household disaster preparedness and information sources
Broadcast media are important information sources immediately before and during disasters. Health services should promote awareness of broadcast networks' disaster role, especially the role of radio, and encourage general household disaster preparedness. A rapid cluster survey conducted shortly after a natural disaster provided practical, robust information for disaster planning
A structured framework for improving outbreak investigation audits
The framework was acceptable to participants, provided an opportunity for clarifying perceptions and enhancing partnership approaches, and provided useful recommendations for approaching future outbreaks. Future challenges include incorporating feedback from broader stakeholder groups, for example those of affected cases, institutions and businesses; assessing the quality of a specific audit; developing training for both participants and facilita…
Modifying the GRADE framework could benefit public health
Objectives Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has profound implications for patients and families. The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the effects caring for a child with SMA has on the costs incurred by families caring for a child with SMA from carer perspectives to identify gaps in provision of care, inform public policy and cost-effectiveness analyses. Design Interpretive phenomenological analysis guided the delivery and analysis…
Sustaining surveillance
Prior to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) had agreed to develop a standardised, simple syndromic surveillance system to ensure compliance with International Health Regulations requirements (rapid outbreak detection, information sharing and response to outbreaks). In October 2010, the new system was introduced and over the next 12 months implemented in 20 of 22 PICTs. An evaluation was conducted to ident…
Pacific-wide simplified syndromic surveillance for early warning of outbreaks
The International Health Regulations require timely detection and response to outbreaks. Many attempts to set up an outbreak early warning system in Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) have failed. Most were modelled on systems from large countries; large amounts of data often overwhelmed small public health teams. Many conditions required overseas laboratory confirmation, further reducing timeliness and completeness. To improve time…
Local level epidemiological analysis of TB in people from a high incidence country of birth
Analysing local area TB rates and possible explanatory variables can provide useful insights into the epidemiology of TB. TB notification rates that take country of birth in local areas into account could enable health services to strategically target TB control measures
Cross sectional survey of human-bat interaction in Australia
Background Flying foxes (megachiroptera) and insectivorous microbats (microchiroptera) are the known reservoirs for a range of recently emerged, highly pathogenic viruses. In Australia there is public health concern relating to bats’ role as reservoirs of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), which has clinical features identical to classical rabies. Three deaths from ABLV have occurred in Australia. A survey was conducted to determine the frequency …
Working With an Aboriginal Community to Understand Drinking Water Perceptions and Acceptance in Rural New South Wales
This study explored the Walhallow Aboriginal community’s experiences with drinking water to gain a shared understanding about community concerns and to develop ways to address these concerns together. There is a strong connection between people and water, as well as a need to appreciate the social factors associated with the unique cultural and socioeconomic factors that the provision of drinking water has for Aboriginal communities. We used a mi…
Time for action
box The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed once again how gender and other inequalities are inter-related with and worsen health disparities. Gender shapes risk of infection, vulnerability to disease and experience of ill health, and socioeconomic disparities.1 Important interplays between biological sex and gender, as a social construct, and other variables such as age, race and ethnicity, and other health conditions, have demonstrated differential r…
Parent-level barriers to uptake of childhood vaccination
INTRODUCTION: Understanding barriers to childhood vaccination is crucial to inform effective interventions for maximising uptake. Published systematic reviews include different primary studies, producing varying lists of barriers. To make sense of this diverse body of literature, a comprehensive level of summary and synthesis is necessary. This overview of systematic reviews maps all potential parent-level barriers to childhood vaccination identi…
Combining First Nations Research Methods with a World Health Organization Guide to Understand Low Childhood Immunisation Coverage in Children in Tamworth, Australia
In Australia, we used the World Health Organization’s Tailoring Immunization Programmes to identify areas of low immunisation coverage in First Nations children. The qualitative study was led by First Nations researchers using a strength-based approach. In 2019, Tamworth had 179 (23%) children who were overdue for immunisations. Yarning sessions were conducted with 50 parents and health providers. Themes that emerged from this research included: …
Accelerating the Development of Measles and Rubella Microarray Patches to Eliminate Measles and Rubella
Measles and rubella microarray patches (MR-MAPs) are critical in achieving measles and rubella eradication, a goal highly unlikely to meet with current vaccines presentations. With low commercial incentive to MAP developers, limited and uncertain funding, the need for investment in a novel manufacturing facility, and remaining questions about the source of antigen, product demand, and regulatory pathway, MR-MAPs are unlikely to be prequalified by…
Estimating the future global dose demand for measles–rubella microarray patches
Background: Progress toward measles and rubella (MR) elimination has stagnated as countries are unable to reach the required 95% vaccine coverage. Microarray patches (MAPs) are anticipated to offer significant programmatic advantages to needle and syringe (N/S) presentation and increase MR vaccination coverage. A demand forecast analysis of the programmatic doses required (PDR) could accelerate MR-MAP development by informing the size and return …
Embedding Aboriginal cultural governance, capacity, perspectives and leadership into a local Public Health Unit Incident Command System during Covid-19 in New South Wales, Australia
This case study describes the development and implementation of a governance structure that prioritised First Nations peoples in a local public health Incident Command System activated for the COVID-19 pandemic response in New South Wales, Australia. Using lessons learnt from past pandemics and planning exercises, public health leaders embedded an approach whereby First Nations peoples determined and led community and culturally informed pandemic…
The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels
Australia employs an evidence-based approach to public health policy, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare access that is informed by relevant research. However, implementing effective policy can be challenging due to the complexity of various public health issues. Social and behavioral factors significantly impact individual and community health outcomes, necessitating a deeper understanding of their interrelationship…
Achieving and sustaining measles elimination in Hong Kong, from 1967 to 2024
Following the development and roll-out of the measles vaccine in 1954, measles incidence dropped to low levels in areas where measles vaccines with high coverage were introduced. The Measles and Rubella Strategic Framework 2021–2030 developed by the Measles & Rubella Initiative aims to eliminate measles globally by 2030. However, there has been a resurgence of measles cases after the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, including some in the West…
Priority indicators for evaluating the impact of field epidemiology training programs – results of a global modified Delphi study
This study presents the first FETP impact evaluation framework with a comprehensive list of evaluation indicators for FETPs. This list of indicators is intended as a resource to promote and enhance the evaluation of FETPs and thus improve these important training programs which aim to strengthen national, regional and global health security
Strengthening field epidemiology capacity in Canada
Background Field epidemiology training programs (FETPs) play a critical role in strengthening public health capacity for surveillance, outbreak investigation, and evidence-based decision making. The Canadian Field Epidemiology Program (CFEP), established in 1975, was the first program outside of the United States. This study presents findings from a mixed-methods evaluation examining program outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Methods Canadian field …
Building epidemiological capacity to strengthen health systems
Introduction Papua New Guinea (PNG) has implemented a three-tiered Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) to strengthen their public health workforce. The first advanced (extended) level FETP (aFETPNG) commenced in 2019. This study evaluates the outputs, outcomes and impacts of aFETPNG. Methods Guided by an FETP impact evaluation framework, a mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for…
Medicine (20 works) · Public health (14 works) · Nursing (13 works) · Political science (12 works) · Environmental health (10 works) · Zoonotic diseases and public health (8 works) · Business (7 works) · Economic growth (7 works) · Disease (6 works) · Economics (5 works)