Policy Work
COVID-19: Navigating the pandemic
When COVID-19 emerged in early 2020, the Academy responded to the need for independent, expert advice to assist Australia in tackling the pandemic
We work with our Fellows to monitor and respond to the rapidly-evolving outbreak. AAHMS has been working with governments, the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Health Officers, Australia’s Chief Scientist, and other key individuals and organisations as they work to manage Australia’s response to the pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, our Fellows have shared expert advice and engaged with government, policymakers and the public to guide conversations about issues related to COVID-19.
In November 2022, AAHMS provided a joint submission with the Australian Academy of Science to the House of Representative’s Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections.
The response addressed the inquiry’s terms of reference that related to research, innovation and evidence-based care, and was developed based on input from Fellows from both Academies and other experts.
In this evolving pandemic, a national coordinated effort to collect and utilise appropriate data relating to long COVID and repeated infections is necessary to build a more complete picture of the prevalence and associated impacts in Australia. Read more about our submission on our policy page.
Established in 2020, our COVID-19 Expert Committee brings together interdisciplinary expertise from the Academy’s Fellowship. The Committee has provided an independent and authoritative voice as the pandemic has progressed in Australia, and as we consider preparedness for future infectious disease challenges.
Work of the Committee has included:
- October 2021 – Statement in support of Australian scientists being harassed for speaking to the media about the pandemic.
- September 2021 – Academy stands with the Therapeutic Goods Administration and its staff
- April 2021 – Vaccines only part of the pandemic puzzle
- February 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines will protect individuals, families and communities
- December 2020 – AAHMS Report: Vaccines alone won’t keep Australia COVID-safe
Further information about the Academy’s COVID-19 work during 2020-2021 is available on the AAHMS COVID-19 Information Hub.
AAHMS worked as part of the Rapid Research Information Forum (RRIF), a group chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist.
This expert forum provided a mechanism through which the government received scientific input and analysis of the latest evidence on pressing questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, as they emerged.
The Academy led and contributed to 13 responses during 2020 as part of this forum.
Find out more about the work AAHMS contributed to the forum on our RRIF page.
COMMITTEE
Expert Committee Members
Professor Tania Sorrell
AM FAHMS – Chair
Professor Fran Baum
AO FASSA FAHMS
Professor Adrian Bauman
FAHMS
Professor Alex Brown
FAHMS
Professor Anne Chang
AM FAHMS
Professor Brendan Crabb
AC FAA FAHMS
Professor Andrew Cuthbertson
AO FAA FTSE FAHMS
Professor David Currow
FAHMS
Professor David Durrheim
FAHMS
Professor Ian Frazer
AC FRS FAA FTSE FAHMS
Professor Mark Harris
AO FAHMS
Professor Ian Hickie
AM FASSA FAHMS
Professor John Kaldor
FAHMS
Professor Sharon Lewin
AO FAHMS
Professor Christine McDonald
AM FAHMS
Professor Claire Rickard
FAHMS
Professor Steve Webb
FAHMS
Professor Steve Wesselingh
(ex officio) PresAHMS
Professor Paul Young
FAHMS
AAHMS
Other Policy Work
Our policy work is organised around three strategic themes that reflect the most urgent challenges and enduring priorities in Australian health today.
Each theme reflects our ambition to influence long-term policy reform that improves lives, strengthens health systems, and supports the scientific and health workforce Australia needs. Explore each of our strategic themes to learn more about how the Academy is driving policy change.
Trust in health and medical expertise
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