The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Jennifer MacLachlan


Jennifer MacLachlan is an epidemiologist with appointments at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis at The Doherty Institute and at the University of Melbourne.

Her work focuses on the innovative use of routinely collected data to assess progress in Australia’s strategic response to viral hepatitis, and indicators of clinical care uptake, particularly among communities subject to healthcare access inequality.

She currently leads the National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project, which provides comprehensive assessment of geographic variation in hepatitis B and C prevalence and access to care and treatment uptake.

Current professional memberships

  • Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific
  • International Society for Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health Association of Australia
  • Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance
  • LiverWELL
  • Publications
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    Projects
    • The National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project

      The National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project aims to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Australia, by assessing geographic variation in prevalence, management, and treatment. This project informs targeted awareness and intervention campaigns localised to suit the needs of people living with CHB and CHC and those providing services.

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    • Blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections surveillance and research program: surveillance for hepatitis B indicators

      A key aspect of Australia’s National Hepatitis B Strategy 2014-2017 is the identification of specific measurable aims and targets, including increasing the proportion of people living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who have been diagnosed, increasing treatment uptake in those affected, and reducing the burden of attributable morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

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    • Coordinated Hepatitis responses to Enhance the Cascade of Care by optimising existing Surveillance systems (CHECCS)

      CHECCS is a pilot program that has been funded by the Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Partnership (EC Australia). Utilising Victoria's existing surveillance system and public health data environment, CHECCS aims to improve the delivery of care to Victorians living with chronic viral hepatitis by identifying people who have been diagnosed with viral hepatitis but have no evidence of follow-up testing or treatment. 

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    • Hepatitis and liver cancer outcomes in general practice – an intervention collaboration (HepLOGIC)

      HepLOGIC aims to improve the identification and care of people at risk of liver cancer in general practice. Central to the project is a pilot and feasibility study to test a digital clinical decision-support system that uses data from general practice records to prompt risk-based testing and support the clinical care of people living with chronic viral hepatitis. 

    • WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis

      The WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis works in partnership with the WHO in moving towards viral hepatitis elimination in our region and globally. In conjunction with the designation as a Collaborating Centre and as a WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis in 2010, the Centre assists the WHO Headquarters and WPRO Office with advice and support for approaches to the prevention and management of viral hepatitis, and provides reference testing for samples collected as part of national serosurveys conducted across WPRO.

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    • Liver cancer prevention: linking viral hepatitis diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes

      This data linkage project examines the burden of viral hepatitis and associated adverse outcomes in Victoria, and the uptake and effectiveness of interventions such as antiviral treatment and liver cancer surveillance of reducing the impact of these infections.

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    Research Groups
    • Cowie Group

      Ben’s group focuses on viral hepatitis epidemiological research. The team undertakes a broad range of activities supporting local, national and global control of viral hepatitis, through surveillance, treatment and prevention initiatives, and training and regional capacity building. 


      Lab Team

      Cowie Group

Full University of Melbourne profile