A New Era in Public Health
In 1987, during the peak of the HIV pandemic, Prof Robert Douglas, a doctor and epidemiologist, highlighted the inadequacies of Australia’s disease control system. He described it as “fragmented, inadequate and poorly coordinated,” calling for better national coordination. Almost four decades later, after several pandemics, including swine flu, mpox, and seasonal influenza, Australia has finally established a Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
The Establishment of the Australian CDC
In January, the Australian Centre for Disease Control was created as a statutory, independent commonwealth authority. Its primary role is to oversee national health surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and public health advice. Prof Zoe Wainer leads the CDC as director general.
Wainer expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating that it represents an extraordinary investment by the nation to keep Australia safe from public health threats. She emphasized the importance of ensuring Australia is never caught off guard by health threats and always contributes to a stronger regional and global public health system.
Despite concerns about the CDC’s budget and scope, stakeholders have shown overwhelming support. Wainer acknowledges the challenges, particularly with misinformation contributing to the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles, and climate change increasing the spread of infections such as Japanese encephalitis.
Addressing Misinformation and Building Trust
Wainer believes that the CDC’s independence and commitment to transparent data and advice sharing will help counteract these challenges. She emphasizes the importance of engaging with the community and understanding their concerns. “We have to be able to understand what the concerns of the community are,” she says.
She avoids commenting on the situation in the US CDC under Donald Trump, where unqualified individuals were appointed to senior roles, spreading misinformation. “Their decisions are matter for the United States government,” she states.
Focusing on Data and Collaboration
In its early years, the CDC will focus on connecting state and federal data surveillance and monitoring. A lack of real-time data sharing was identified as a weakness in Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wainer notes that this is a significant project for the CDC.
Another core focus will be on “One Health,” an approach that recognizes the interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health. Collaboration with First Nations people and organizations is crucial for the CDC’s work, as they have long understood the deep connection between land, water, climate, people, and animals.
A Legacy of Social Justice
Wainer, who has a clinical background as a cardiothoracic surgeon and a master’s in public health, has always been guided by a social justice lens. Her father, Dr Bertram Wainer, was a doctor and prominent women’s health advocate who campaigned to make abortion safe and accessible. He faced serious threats to his life due to his efforts.
Her mother, Dr Jo Wainer, helped establish the clinic and worked as a journalist for the ABC. “Mum and Dad did extraordinary work in the name of public health,” Wainer says. “I always end up in public health in my career.”
A Career Rooted in Community
Wainer’s career has been driven by a desire to contribute to her community. She has conducted outreach trips to lower and middle income countries to operate on children with congenital disorders and rheumatic heart disease. Before leading the CDC, she was deputy secretary for community and public health in the Victorian department of health.
“I’ve always looked at next career moves as: ‘How can I take the skills, my attributes, my experience, and contribute it to the best benefit of my community?’” Wainer says. “When the opportunity came up to be the inaugural director general for the Australian Centre for Disease Control, I absolutely jumped at it, because it meets that kind of internal value set that I have.”
