Head, Adolescent Health and Wellbeing
PhD, FRACP, MEpi, MBBS, GDipBiostats, BMedSci
Professor Pete Azzopardi leads an international program of research focusing on adolescent health and well-being. His research is informed by experience working as a paediatrician in Australia (including in youth justice, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector, tertiary referral services, youth homeless services) and across health services in the Asia Pacific region.
Pete’s program of research is approached in partnership with young people. He has expertise in using data to describe adolescent health needs, and expertise in the codesign and implementation of responsive programs for adolescent and wellbeing. At Telethon Kids Institute, his work is in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. He also leads a research group at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute where his work focuses on global adolescent health. Ensuring health equity is a cross cutting theme.
Pete is a Commissioner on the current Lancet Commission for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. He co-chairs WHO’s Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent health expert group, and co-chairs the adolescent wellbeing work stream at the Partnership for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s health (PMNCH). Pete has also recently joined WHO’s Strategic Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE). These engagements provide an opportunity to contribute to - and learn- from best practice globally.
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Publications
June 2024
Exploring a Preliminary Set of Indicators to Measure Adolescent Health: Results From a 12-Country Feasibility Study
To explore data availability, perceived relevance, acceptability and feasibility of implementing 52 draft indicators for adolescent health measurement in different countries globally.
Published research Child and adolescent health Adolescent Health and WellbeingApril 2024Protocol for the Adolescent Menstrual Experiences and Health Cohort (AMEHC) Study in Khulna, Bangladesh: A Prospective cohort to quantify the influence of menstrual health on adolescent girls' health and education outcomes
Menstrual health is essential for gender equity and the well-being of women and girls. Qualitative research has described the burden of poor menstrual health on health and education; however, these impacts have not been quantified, curtailing investment.
Published research Adolescent Health and WellbeingMarch 2024Cardiometabolic health markers among Aboriginal adolescents from the Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Cohort Study
The objective of this study was to investigate cardiometabolic health markers among Aboriginal adolescents aged 10-24 years and relationships with age, gender, and body composition.
Published research Aboriginal Health Adolescent Health and WellbeingJanuary 2024Prevalence of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents Presenting for Gender-Affirming Care
To describe the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among adolescents seeking gender-affirming care.
Published research Nutrition Gender Diversity Indigenous GenomicsDecember 2023Changing climates, compounding challenges: A participatory study on how disasters affect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people in Fiji
Pacific youth are at the forefront of the climate crisis, which has important implications for their health and rights. Youth in Fiji currently bear a disproportionate burden of poor experiences and outcomes related to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). There is limited information about how the increasing climate impacts may affect their SRHR, and what the implications may be for climate action and disaster risk reduction.
Published research Child and adolescent health Climate change Adolescent Health and WellbeingNovember 2023Towards responsive policy and actions to address non-communicable disease risks amongst adolescents in Indonesia: insights from key stakeholders
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental disorder and chronic lung conditions are the leading cause of death and disability in Indonesia. Adolescence is when risks for NCDs emerge and it is also an important life stage for intervention, yet young people are often at the margins of NCD policy and actions.
Published research Mental health Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Diabetes (Type 2) Cancers (other)October 2023Health behaviours associated with healthy body composition among Aboriginal adolescents in Australia in the ‘Next Generation: Youth Well-being study’
This study described the distribution of healthy body composition among Aboriginal adolescents in Australia aged 10-24 years and examined associations with health behaviours and self-rated health.
Published research Aboriginal Health Indigenous GenomicsJun 2023Cardiometabolic Risk Markers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Youths: A Systematic Review of Data Quality and Population Prevalence
Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are leading contributors to the health inequity experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their antecedents can be identified from early childhood. We aimed to establish the quality of available data and the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk markers among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youths (0-24-year-olds) to inform public health approaches.
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Indigenous Genomics -
Education and Qualifications
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Active Collaborations