In 1987, at the height of the HIV pandemic, a wise doctor named Professor Robert Douglas peered into the future and saw a glaring problem. He wrote in the Medical Journal of Australia that our disease control efforts were a mess – “fragmented, inadequate, and poorly coordinated.” He yearned for a national game plan, a shared strategy between states and the federal government to tackle diseases head-on and lessen their impact. Fast forward almost four decades, through outbreaks of swine flu, mpox, and even our annual seasonal sniffles, experts and medical bodies consistently echoed his call: Australia needed a dedicated center for disease control. Finally, in January, that vision came to life with the establishment of the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). It’s an independent, statutory body, much like a trusted sentinel, tasked with keeping a watchful eye on national health, preparing us for future pandemics, and offering sound public health advice. Leading this crucial endeavor is Professor Zoe Wainer, a woman who, upon hearing of the opportunity, “absolutely jumped at” it. She sees it as an extraordinary commitment by the nation to shield Australia from public health threats and emergencies. Her driving ambition? To ensure Australia is never caught off guard, never left to face a health crisis alone, and always contributing to a stronger global public health system. Despite the weight of these expectations and some initial concerns about the CDC’s budget and scope, Wainer has been heartened by the overwhelmingly hopeful and supportive response from stakeholders.
Professor Wainer steps into this vital role at a particularly challenging crossroads. We’re witnessing a worrying resurgence of preventable diseases like measles, fueled by a wave of misinformation that makes health messaging incredibly difficult. And as if that weren’t enough, the relentless march of climate change is pushing infectious diseases, such as Japanese encephalitis, beyond their traditional boundaries, even reaching the Australian mainland. Wainer holds onto the hope that the CDC’s independence from political pressures and its unwavering commitment to transparent data and advice will be powerful weapons against what Professor Brett Sutton, director of CSIRO’s health and biosecurity unit, has grimly labeled a “very substantial threat.” She readily admits that this battle against misinformation is tough for everyone involved. For Wainer, transparency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a cornerstone of the solution. She believes in having open, honest conversations with the community, not expecting blind acceptance but rather seeking to understand their concerns and building trust from that foundation. While she avoids commenting on the contentious issues faced by the US CDC under a different administration, she remains focused on building a strong, trusted institution for Australia. Her primary goal in these early years is to knit together the fragmented threads of state and federal data surveillance, a weakness starkly exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. She envisions a future where real-time data sharing becomes the norm, allowing for quicker, more effective responses to health crises.
Another critical focus for the Australian CDC will be the “One Health” approach. This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a profound recognition that the health of humans, our domestic pets, wild animals, and the environment are all intricately linked and dependent on one another. It’s a call for experts from all these diverse sectors to collaborate seamlessly to prevent and control disease. This understanding is why collaboration with First Nations people and organizations will be absolutely vital to the CDC’s mission. Wainer speaks with admiration about the deep, ancient wisdom held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who, for tens of thousands of years, have understood the profound connection between land, water, climate, people, and animals. This indigenous knowledge will be invaluable in shaping the CDC’s strategies. Wainer herself, with a background as a cardiothoracic surgeon and a master’s in public health, has always viewed her work through a strong social justice lens. This perspective isn’t just an academic pursuit; it’s a deeply ingrained family value.
Wainer’s upbringing instilled in her a profound commitment to social justice. Her father, Dr. Bertram Wainer, was a doctor and a fierce advocate for women’s health. In the late 1960s and 70s, he bravely campaigned for safe and accessible abortion, even establishing Australia’s first public abortion clinic. His tireless efforts led him to expose a web of corruption involving police, politicians, and illegal abortion networks, actions that, tragically, put his life in serious jeopardy. Her mother, Dr. Jo Wainer, was equally instrumental in establishing that clinic, driven by her outrage at the unsafe abortions performed by unqualified and unscrupulous individuals that endangered so many women. After her husband’s passing, Jo Wainer continued his legacy, establishing a multidisciplinary women’s health clinic. A social scientist by profession, she researched the experiences of rural women doctors and the critical issue of sex differences in health and medical research – a focus that her daughter, Zoe, also champions in her own career. She even worked as a journalist for the ABC, further amplifying her voice for public good. Zoe Wainer reflects on her parents’ incredible contributions, stating that they “did extraordinary work in the name of public health.” For her, entering the field of public health wasn’t a choice but a natural “trajectory,” a continuation of a family legacy of service and advocacy.
Professor Wainer’s father passed away when she was just 13, but she believes he would be incredibly proud to see her leading Australia’s first CDC. Her mother, celebrating her 80th birthday this year, remains a vibrant advocate for women’s health and wildlife conservation. Even during her career as a surgeon, Zoe Wainer’s commitment to social justice shone through. She embarked on seven outreach trips to lower and middle-income countries, performing life-saving surgeries on children suffering from congenital disorders and rheumatic heart disease. This entirely preventable disease, prevalent in disadvantaged communities in Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, also affects remote Indigenous communities right here in Australia. Prior to taking the helm at the CDC, she served as the deputy secretary for community and public health in the Victorian Department of Health, overseeing one of Australia’s largest public health divisions and even leading the nation’s first inquiry into women’s pain. For Wainer, every career move has been a deliberate question: “How can I take the skills, my attributes, my experience, and contribute it to the best benefit of my community?” When the opportunity arose to become the inaugural director general for the Australian Centre for Disease Control, it was more than just a job; it was a calling, a perfect alignment with her deeply held internal values. She didn’t just accept the role; she “absolutely jumped at it,” ready to lead Australia into a safer, healthier future.