Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine Our research

Our research

The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people living in the Tropics.

Around 40 per cent of the world’s population lives in tropical regions, where they face unique and complex health and medical challenges; not only does the climate support a higher likelihood of disease transmission, but inequitable access to health care also contributes to a heavier health burden on tropical communities. Our work is focused on understanding these realities and developing research-driven solutions that support stronger health systems, improved care and better outcomes for communities in northern Australia and neighbouring tropical regions.

The Institute is multi-disciplinary, with research centred around three key themes:

Diseases of high burden

This research focuses on improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious and chronic conditions that disproportionately affect tropical populations, including tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, parasitic worms, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders and mental illness.

Our researchers are advancing vaccine development and exploring new therapeutics inspired by the unique flora and fauna of the Tropics.

Tropical health security

We take a One Health approach to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity and safeguard communities across the Tropics. Research under this theme includes:

Vector control for mosquito and tick-borne disease
Disease prevention, surveillance and containment
Zoonotic disease pathology and epidemiology
Animal health, biodiversity and conservation
Animal production and food security
Disaster preparedness and response
Collaborations with Defence.

Tropical health systems

This research focuses on delivering health services and strengthening health systems in regional, rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our work here involves workforce development, designing and evaluating service delivery models, capacity building in underserved systems, and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies, such as telehealth.