Blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections
Research on Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections
Research provides an evidence base for the development of public policy and programs which are responsive to the evolving needs of people with, or at risk of, HIV and other blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections.
The main branches of research contributing to the effort to address BBVs and STIs are epidemiology, basic scientific research, virology, clinical research, and social and behavioural research.
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS)
The NNDSS was established in 1990 under the auspices of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia. The System co-ordinates the national surveillance of more than 60 communicable diseases or disease groups. Information about NNDSS can be found here.National Research Centres
Four national research centres, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, undertake research and surveillance of blood borne viruses, sexually transmissible infections, social determinants contributing to behavioural change, and virology. The research centres collect and publish surveillance data, and research and analyse behavioural data. The data collected by these research centres are critical to identify trends in infection patterns and assist in guiding governments’ responses to blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections. Research also targets the development of new treatments for viral infections of national and international public health importance including HIV, hepatitis B and C, human papilloma virus and herpes simplex virus. The four national research centres, funded by the Department are:Australian Centre for Hepatitis and HIV Virology Research
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research
National Centre in HIV Social Research
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society
