The role of improved surveillance and modelling to support prevention and control of infectious diseases in Aotearoa

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Principal Investigator
Dr Sarah Pirikahu
University of Otago
Public Contact
teniwhacomms@otago.ac.nz
Project Status
In Process

Whakarāpopoto Rangahau Summary of Research

The overarching aim of this project is to identify opportunities for using infectious disease modelling and enhanced surveillance to improve the prevention and control of infectious diseases in Aotearoa.

To achieve this aim, this project will consider two key perspectives:

  • How disease modelling can answer infectious disease concerns of Māori communities.
  • How infectious disease surveillance needs to be enhanced to support effective disease modelling.

Te Hiranga ā Rangahau Research Impact

This project will help bridge two existing Te Niwha projects:

  1. Review of infectious disease surveillance in Aotearoa 
  2. Developing an indigenous-led framework for infectious disease preparedness and response in Aotearoa: addressing critical data needs through whānau ora

Doing so would enhance the value of both projects, begin discussions around what communities would like to see and find useful from infectious disease surveillance efforts and the disease modelling that would be required to provide solutions for communities.

Te Niwha

Kairangahau Research Personnel

Dr Sarah Pirikahu
IWI: Nga Rauru 
University of Otago
Lead Researcher

Prof Michael Baker
University of Otago
Advisor

Assoc Prof Amanda Kvalsvig
University of Otago
Advisor