| Associate Professor Margaret Kelaher |
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Deputy Director |
| Biography |
Associate Professor Margaret Kelaher is a social epidemiologist who has chosen a unique focus in her work by bringing evidence and intervention based approach to understanding complex social issues. Her work has been at the forefront of the development of methodologies for understanding complex social interventions and their impacts.
Margaret Kelaher has conducted a number of major studies examining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well being. These include a study which demonstrated the success of national reforms to improve access to medicines in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.This work was instrumental in national reform to make medicines specific to the needs of Indigenous Australians available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Her recent work on changes in access to health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people illustrated that while there had been improvements in access to primary care these were not followed through with specialist care. Her work identifying poor uptake of preventive health checks has been used as a springboard for national programs to promote their uptake.
Margaret has also conducted national and international studies of discrimination and health. She is currently involved in a study of the effectiveness of Victorian interventions to reduce racial prejudice.
In addition to this she has over ten years experience in researching social and policy issues among Indigenous and immigrant populations. Her main research interests are health policy, programs and interventions to reduce health inequalities
For more information including Margaret's qualifications, publications, research grants and classifications, visit Find an Expert.