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Professor James Ward
Professor

James Ward

Email: 

Overview

Background

Professor James Ward is a Pitjantjatjara and Narungga man, and a national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. He is currently the Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland. As such he leads a research program focused on urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and an infectious diseases research program and associated issues. Having held various roles in Aboriginal public health policy for both government and non-government organisations, in 2007 he was appointed as the Inaugural Program Head of the Aboriginal Program at the Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales. In 2012 he moved to Alice Springs to become Deputy Director of the Baker Institutes' Aboriginal Health Program, after which he joined the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. James has been awarded funding applications totalling $23M since 2013; including $7.14M as CIA on NHMRC funded grants and has authored 160 publications. He has led national research projects on health services research http://cre-ash.org.au/participating-sites/clinical-hubs/; in health promotion www.youngdeadlyfree.org.au; and methamphetamines https://wecandothis.com.au/ to name a few.

His work has influenced policy and practice significantly contributing to national guidelines, policy and practice. During 2020 he has contributed to the national COVID—19 response nationally through membership of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 Taskforce.

Availability

Professor James Ward is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales

Works

Search Professor James Ward’s works on UQ eSpace

195 works between 2010 and 2024

1 - 20 of 195 works

2024

Journal Article

Enablers and barriers to primary health care access for Indigenous adolescents: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA

Harfield, Stephen, Purcell, Tara, Schioldann, Eliza, Ward, James, Pearson, Odette and Azzopardi, Peter (2024). Enablers and barriers to primary health care access for Indigenous adolescents: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA. BMC Health Services Research, 24 (1) 553. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-10796-5

Enablers and barriers to primary health care access for Indigenous adolescents: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of studies across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA

2024

Other Outputs

Queensland First Nations Peoples Burden of Disease Report 2018

Maurer, Di, Williamson, Daniel, Stanley, Lucy, Suleman, Abdulla, Ward, James, Barzi, Federica, Begum, Tahmina, Oguoma, Victor and Dyson, Edwin (2024). Queensland First Nations Peoples Burden of Disease Report 2018. 3 Brisbane, QLD, Australia: State of Queensland (Queensland Health), 2024.

Queensland First Nations Peoples Burden of Disease Report 2018

2024

Journal Article

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus exposure and infection among Indigenous and tribal populations: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

Elliott, S., Flynn, E., Mathew, S., Hajarizadeh, B., Martinello, M., Wand, H. and Ward, J. (2024). Prevalence of hepatitis C virus exposure and infection among Indigenous and tribal populations: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health, 233, 65-73. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.04.035

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus exposure and infection among Indigenous and tribal populations: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

2024

Journal Article

Clinical effectiveness and analytical quality of a national point-of-care testing network for sexually transmitted infections integrated into rural and remote primary care clinics in Australia, 2016–2022: an observational program evaluation

Causer, Louise M., Ward, James, Smith, Kirsty, Saha, Amit, Andrewartha, Kelly, Wand, Handan, Hengel, Belinda, Badman, Steven G., Tangey, Annie, Matthews, Susan, Mak, Donna, Gunathilake, Manoji, Moore, Elizabeth, Speers, David, Persing, David, Anderson, David, Whiley, David, Maher, Lisa, Regan, David, Donovan, Basil, Fairley, Christopher, Kaldor, John, Shephard, Mark and Guy, Rebecca (2024). Clinical effectiveness and analytical quality of a national point-of-care testing network for sexually transmitted infections integrated into rural and remote primary care clinics in Australia, 2016–2022: an observational program evaluation. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 48 101110, 101110. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101110

Clinical effectiveness and analytical quality of a national point-of-care testing network for sexually transmitted infections integrated into rural and remote primary care clinics in Australia, 2016–2022: an observational program evaluation

2024

Journal Article

Sexual risk and testing for sexually transmissible infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous young South Australians: results of an online survey

Harfield, Stephen, Elliott, Salenna, Barzi, Federica, Minto, Kiara, Dean, Judith A. and Ward, James (2024). Sexual risk and testing for sexually transmissible infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous young South Australians: results of an online survey. Sexual Health, 21 (4) ARTN SH24041, 1-9. doi: 10.1071/sh24041

Sexual risk and testing for sexually transmissible infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous young South Australians: results of an online survey

2024

Journal Article

Special Issue in partnership with the Lowitja Institute: centring Indigenous knowledges

Hughes, Jaquelyne, Kennedy, Michelle, Kong, Kelvin, Mohamed, Janine, Pearson, Odette, Stewart, Paul, Ward, James, Barbour, Virginia and Zuccala, Elizabeth (2024). Special Issue in partnership with the Lowitja Institute: centring Indigenous knowledges. Medical Journal of Australia, 221 (1), 3-4. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52360

Special Issue in partnership with the Lowitja Institute: centring Indigenous knowledges

2024

Journal Article

‘We know what our communities need’: What the Indigenous health sector reveals about pandemic preparedness in urban Indigenous communities in Australia

Fredericks, Bronwyn, Bradfield, Abraham, Ward, James, Spierings, Shea, McAvoy, Sue, Combo, Troy and Toth-Peter, Agnes (2024). ‘We know what our communities need’: What the Indigenous health sector reveals about pandemic preparedness in urban Indigenous communities in Australia. First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal, 2 100019. doi: 10.1016/j.fnhli.2024.100019

‘We know what our communities need’: What the Indigenous health sector reveals about pandemic preparedness in urban Indigenous communities in Australia

2024

Journal Article

Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol

Marshall, Helen, Ward, James, Wang, Bing, Andraweera, Prabha, McMillan, Mark, Flood, Louise, Bell, Charlotte, Sisnowski, Jana, Krause, Vicki, Webby, Rosalind, Childs, Emma, Gunathilake, Manoji, Egoroff, Natasha, Leong, Lex, Lawrence, Andrew, Baird, Rob, Freeman, Kevin, Menouhos, Dimitrios, Whiley, David M, Karnon, Jonathan, van Hal, Sebastian and Lahra, Monica M (2024). Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (5) e079144, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079144

Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol

2024

Journal Article

Representation of marginalised populations in digital surveillance for notifiable conditions in Australia: a systematic review

Dias-Karunaratne, N, Whop, L, Ward, J, Vujovich-Dunn, C, Amin, J, Dakiniewich, A and Dyda, A (2024). Representation of marginalised populations in digital surveillance for notifiable conditions in Australia: a systematic review. Perspectives in Public Health, 144 (3), 17579139241237101-173. doi: 10.1177/17579139241237101

Representation of marginalised populations in digital surveillance for notifiable conditions in Australia: a systematic review

2024

Journal Article

Indigenous data governance approaches applied in research using routinely collected health data: a scoping review

Engstrom, Teyl, Lobo, Elton H., Watego, Kristie, Nelson, Carmel, Wang, Jinxiang, Wong, Howard, Kim, Sungkyung Linda, Oh, Soo In, Lawley, Michael, Gorse, Alain-Dominique, Ward, James and Sullivan, Clair (2024). Indigenous data governance approaches applied in research using routinely collected health data: a scoping review. npj Digital Medicine, 7 (1) 68, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41746-024-01070-3

Indigenous data governance approaches applied in research using routinely collected health data: a scoping review

2024

Journal Article

Preconception health of Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: a scoping review

Walker, Clara, Begum, Tahmina, Boyle, Jacqueline A., Ward, James and Barzi, Federica (2024). Preconception health of Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 (3) 345, 1-39. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21030345

Preconception health of Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: a scoping review

2024

Journal Article

A web-based application for reducing methamphetamine use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: A wait-list control randomised trial. (Preprint)

Reilly, Rachel, McKetin, Rebecca, Barzi, Federica, Degan, Tayla, Ezard, Nadine, Conigrave, Kate, Butt, Julia, Roe, Yvette, Wand, Handan, Quinn, Brendan, Longbottom, Wade, Treloar, Carla, Dunlop, Adrian and Ward, James (2024). A web-based application for reducing methamphetamine use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: A wait-list control randomised trial. (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research. doi: 10.2196/58341

A web-based application for reducing methamphetamine use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: A wait-list control randomised trial. (Preprint)

2024

Journal Article

Reducing Methamphetamine Use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities with the We Can Do This Web-App: Qualitative Evaluation of Acceptability and Feasibility (Preprint)

Sivak, Leda, Reilly, Rachel, Crumpen, Shani, Treloar, Carla, McKetin, Rebecca, Butt, Julia, Roe, Yvette, Ezard, Nadine, Quinn, Brendan, Nagle, Jack, Longbottom, Wade, Warrior, Clifford and Ward, James (2024). Reducing Methamphetamine Use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities with the We Can Do This Web-App: Qualitative Evaluation of Acceptability and Feasibility (Preprint). JMIR Formative Research. doi: 10.2196/58369

Reducing Methamphetamine Use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities with the We Can Do This Web-App: Qualitative Evaluation of Acceptability and Feasibility (Preprint)

2024

Journal Article

Patient and healthcare provider perceptions of acceptability of fingerstick point-of-care hepatitis C testing at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Australia

Lafferty, L., Beadman, M., Ward, J., Flynn, E., Hosseini-Hooshyar, S., Martinello, M. and Treloar, C. (2024). Patient and healthcare provider perceptions of acceptability of fingerstick point-of-care hepatitis C testing at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 125 104335, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104335

Patient and healthcare provider perceptions of acceptability of fingerstick point-of-care hepatitis C testing at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Australia

2024

Journal Article

Research needed on urban Indigenous health inequalities

Mamun, Abdullah A., Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Leske, Stuart, Stajic, Janet and Ward, James (2024). Research needed on urban Indigenous health inequalities. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 102 (2), 146-148. doi: 10.2471/BLT.23.290868

Research needed on urban Indigenous health inequalities

2024

Conference Publication

Clinical effectiveness, sustainability and quality of a large, decentralised molecular point-of-care testing network for STIs in regional and remote primary care clinics in Australia

Causer, Louise M., Anderson, David, Andrewartha, Kelly, Armstrong, Paul, Atkinson, David, Badman, Steven, Bastian, Lisa, Carroll, Catherine, Donovan, Basil, Fairley, Christopher, Gunathilake, Manoji, Guy, Rebecca, Hengel, Belinda, Kaldor, John, Leonard, Jessica, Maher, Lisa, Mak, Donna, Moore, Liz, O'Connor, Sean, Persing, David, Rees, Tom, Regan, David, Saha, Amit, Shephard, Mark, Smith, Kirsty, Speers, David, Tangey, Annie, Walshe, Veronica, Wand, Handan ... White, Caitlyn (2024). Clinical effectiveness, sustainability and quality of a large, decentralised molecular point-of-care testing network for STIs in regional and remote primary care clinics in Australia. Annual Meeting of the Infectious-Diseases-Society-for-Obstetrics-and-Gynecology (IDSOG), Boston Ma, Aug 04-06, 2022. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.

Clinical effectiveness, sustainability and quality of a large, decentralised molecular point-of-care testing network for STIs in regional and remote primary care clinics in Australia

2024

Journal Article

Measuring progress toward the Closing the Gap healthy birthweight target for Indigenous babies: an analysis of Queensland perinatal data, 2011–2020

Huda, M. Mamun, Ward, James and Mamun, Abdullah Al (2024). Measuring progress toward the Closing the Gap healthy birthweight target for Indigenous babies: an analysis of Queensland perinatal data, 2011–2020. Medical Journal of Australia, 221 (5), 277-278. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52408

Measuring progress toward the Closing the Gap healthy birthweight target for Indigenous babies: an analysis of Queensland perinatal data, 2011–2020

2023

Journal Article

Responding to COVID‐19: How group model building can assist the health and well‐being of urban Indigenous communities in Australia

Fredericks, Bronwyn, Bradfield, Abraham, McAvoy, Sue, Ward, James, Spierings, Shea, Combo, Troy and Toth‐Peter, Agnes (2023). Responding to COVID‐19: How group model building can assist the health and well‐being of urban Indigenous communities in Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 59 (2), 462-486. doi: 10.1002/ajs4.303

Responding to COVID‐19: How group model building can assist the health and well‐being of urban Indigenous communities in Australia

2023

Journal Article

Trajectories of otitis media and association with health determinants among Indigenous children in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

Oguoma, V.M., Mathew, S., Begum, T., Dyson, E., Ward, J., Leach, A.J. and Barzi, F. (2023). Trajectories of otitis media and association with health determinants among Indigenous children in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. Public Health, 225, 53-62. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.09.010

Trajectories of otitis media and association with health determinants among Indigenous children in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

2023

Journal Article

Rationale and plan for a focus on First Nations urban health research in Australia

Stajic, Janet, Carson, Adrian and Ward, James (2023). Rationale and plan for a focus on First Nations urban health research in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 220 (2), 64-66. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52181

Rationale and plan for a focus on First Nations urban health research in Australia

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Understanding preconception sexual and reproductive health and fertility among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Queensland
    Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Preventing non-communicable diseases (PreventNCD) among Indigenous children and youth in major cities of Australia
    NHMRC Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Blak and Proud: Safe and deadly healthcare
    NHMRC MRFF Models of Care for Sexuality and Gender Diverse People
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Achieving greater national consistency for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner professions
    National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    GOANNA 3 Study: Third Australian cross-sectional survey of social and behavioural factors related to BBVs and STIs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 16-29 years
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Implementation of anti-racism strategies to improve health outcomes for First Nations peoples in a large urban hospital
    NHMRC MRFF - Indigenous Health Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Closing the final gaps in maternal and infant health: the Deadly Fit Mums program
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Centre of Research Excellence in Urban Indigenous Health
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Multidisciplinary co-design of innovative, client-centred models for Indigenous mental health services in South East Queensland
    NHMRC MRFF - Indigenous Health Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Type 2 diabetes prevalence and management in patients attending an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service in Southeast Queensland over a twelve-year period: factors associated with good
    NHMRC MRFF - Indigenous Health Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Digital Infrastructure For improving First Nations Maternal & Child Health
    MRFF Research Data Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) - National Research Network on Human Health and Environmental Change (NHMRC Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change grant administered by ANU)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Young, Deadly and Free Project
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    Integration and expansion of a sentinel surveillance system to improve infectious disease outcomes for Indigenous Australians; the ATLAS network
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    National First Nations Research Network
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    The ATLAS STI and BBV sentinel surveillance network
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Transforming access, relational care, and primary health care in an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population through patient-centred medical homes:
    NHMRC MRFF - Primary Health Care Research Initiative
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Eliminating endemic sexually transmissible infections in remote Australia using targeted multidisciplinary strategies
    NHMRC Synergy Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Implementing a precision public health approach to eliminate sexually transmitted infections and control HIV in remote Australia
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2025
    Centre for Research Excellence in the accelerated implementation of new point-of-care technology for infectious diseases (NHMRC CRE Grant administered by the University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    For the provision of a Research Report: Methamphetamine Use by Parents with Children under 3 years
    Queensland Family and Child Commission
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Develop a state-wide First Nations Health Equity Strategy Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Building a national research network and agenda to progress urban Indigenous health
    UQ Indigenous Research Engagement and Partnerships Fund
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Queensland Burden Of Disease Report
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Improving surveillance infrastructure for Indigenous primary health care
    MRFF Primary Health Care Research Data Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    First Nations COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Harnessing the evidence from an urban First Nations health ecosystem to inform ongoing response, recovery and health system adaptation
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Pandemic health messaging for Indigenous peoples during COVID-19
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health services in an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Using systems thinking to better understand risks and protective factors at play for urban Indigenous peoples during COVID-19
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Launch Phase Agreement - Research Alliance for Urban Goori Health
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Enhancing harm reduction services (BBV and STI) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who inject drugs through improved engagement.
    Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Developing and implementing an ethical framework for HIV Phylogenetic Analysis in Australia (NHMRC Partnership Project administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Eliminate Hepatitis C Project
    Macfarlane Burnet Institute of Medical Research and Public Health Ltd (also known as Burnet Institute)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Improving STI and BBV outcomes and associated drivers among Aboriginal peoples
    Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    SCALE-C: Strategies for hepatitis C testing and treatment in Aboriginal communities that Lead to Elimination
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Gono B Gone: Targeted immunisation programs for vulnerable children and young people against serious infectious diseases (NHMRC Partnership Project administered by University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Use of molecular resistance assays to provide alterative oral treatment strategies for gonorrhoea in Indigenous and other high-risk populations; a randomised cluster trial
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor James Ward is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Caring for Country: An examination of the interrelationship between the intergenerational health of First Nations peoples and regenerative environmental practices. How does caring for Country improve health outcomes for Gumbaynggirr waarru-biin and wajaarr (People and Country)?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Nina Lansbury

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integration and expansion of a sentinel surveillance system to improve infectious disease outcomes for Indigenous Australians: the ATLAS network

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lisa McHugh, Dr Rani West

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Strengthening primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people living in urban southeast Queensland

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gita Mishra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The utility of the Annual Health Check (MBS item 715) for STI testing within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Dean

  • Doctor Philosophy

    DIFFERENCE

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Clair Sullivan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Multidisciplinary efforts to eliminate sexually transmissible infections in regional and remote Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David McIntyre, Associate Professor Abdullah Mamun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding fertility and pre-conception health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Queensland

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Federica Barzi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Outcomes in Indigenous Population: A Life Course Approach

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Leonie Callaway, Associate Professor Abdullah Mamun

Media

Enquiries

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