Our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults, prioritising emerging health and social issues that impact young people.
We work to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults. We prioritise emerging health and social issues that impact young people and aim to:
engage diverse young people
build evidence to understand emerging health and social issues
design and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve young people’s health.
Our focus is on young people experiencing disadvantage, particularly around:
sexual health
mental health
alcohol and other drug use.
Through research, we've influenced government policy around issues like sexting, online pornography and social media alcohol advertising. This gives young people a voice to power.
Our work includes:
conducting quantitative, qualitative and content analysis methods to understand emerging health threats
engaging diverse young people through design and participatory approaches
developing and evaluating interventions to educate, change behaviour and improve health
advocating for evidence-based policy and practice change.
We also deliver education on sex, relationships, and pornography. We work with young people to understand how they want to engage in research and health promotion.
To work or collaborate with us, get in touch via email.
Are you 15–29 years old? Share your ideas on what health topics to research by emailing youngpeopleshealth@burnet.edu.au or sign up to participate and hear about opportunities.
Every year, we survey young people about their sexual health, drug use, mental health and wellbeing. That data informs public health policies and programs.
Binge drinking is a significant public health issue in Australia, but current health promotion strategies for reducing binge drinking are largely ineffective.
We're working with young people and their caregivers to review digital technologies that reduce access to online pornography.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption. We’re engaging with young people to design public health solutions that help this group and others in uncertain times.
The project explored alcohol and other drug use among culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Wyndham.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Alyce M. Vella, Megan S. C. Lim, Paul A. Agius, Elise R. Carrotte, Margaret Hellard, Megan S. C. Lim, Paul A. Agius, Elise R. Carrotte, Alyce M. Vella, Margaret Hellard
Sexual Health
Sarah Eddy, Caitlin Douglass, Michelle Raggatt, Alexander Thomas, Megan S. C. Lim
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Angela Davis, Paul Dietze, Margaret Hellard, Megan S. C. Lim
BMC Women s Health
Caitlin Douglass, Caitlin Ramsay, Julie Hennegan, Sarah Eddy, Alexandra Head, Sarah Eddy, Caitlin Ramsay, Julie Hennegan, Caitlin Douglass, Alexandra Head
Sex Education
Kirsten Roode, Megan S. C. Lim, Angela Davis, Cassandra J. C. Wright, Megan S. C. Lim, Kirsten Roode, Angela Davis, Cassandra J. C. Wright
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Jake Turvey, Natasha Castree, Megan S. C. Lim, Jake Turvey, Natasha Castree, Megan S. C. Lim
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Caitlin Douglass, Danielle Horyniak, Margaret Hellard, Megan S. C. Lim
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Megan S. C. Lim
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Angela Davis, Elise R. Carrotte, Megan S. C. Lim, Elise R. Carrotte, Angela Davis, Megan S. C. Lim
The Gist is an Australian website providing straightforward, inclusive sex and relationship education for young people aged 15–24.
Visit The Gist websiteBurnet's 'Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll' survey is run annually since 2005, and collects data on young Australians' sexual health, drug use, and wellbeing to inform public health policies.
Young people’s health in Australia: statistics from the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll surveyThese design briefs outline strategies to improve social connection among young people through co-designed community projects and evidence-based initiatives.
Burnet Institute Young People And Social Connection Design Briefs [PDF 384.8 kB]Burnet report explores young Victorians’ experiences of social connection during COVID-19 and offers strategies to foster future connection.
Burnet Institute Young People Social Connection Project Report [PDF 872.6 kB]VicHealth report on COVID-19's impact highlights young Australians’ mental health challenges, emphasising support, communication, and youth involvement.
Young people coping with coronavirus: interim report [PDF 542 kB]Burnet report reveals COVID-19’s impact 3 months after the start of the pandemic on young Australians’ health, social media use, mental health, and concerns about education and vaccination.
Coping With Covid 3 Month Report [PDF 481.3 kB]Burnet report highlights COVID-19’s effects 6 months after the start of the pandemic on young Australians’ diet, social media use, mental health, and concerns about education and vaccines.
Coping With Covid 6 Month Report [PDF 431.0 kB]The report surveys Chinese-speaking international students in Australia, exploring sexual behaviors, STI knowledge, education, and pornography use for health promotion.
Intimate attidues, practices and knowledges