Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have received two of Australia's most prestigious public health awards.

Professor Emily Banks AM was presented with the Sidney Sax Public Health Medal for her outstanding contributions to public health nationally and internationally.

A globally recognised epidemiologist and public health physician, Professor Banks has consistently championed multidisciplinary approaches to shaping public health solutions, addressing public health challenges, and enhancing community awareness of public health measures and outcomes.

As the Head of the Centre of Epidemiology for Policy and Practice at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH), ANU, Professor Banks focuses on finding and implementing answers to critical questions capable of catalysing major health advancements.

Her work has shed light on the true costs of insufficient public health responses and the urgent need to address health inequities in Australia.

Associate Professor Lisa Whop from the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research received the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Public Health Award for her work in cervical cancer prevention among Indigenous populations.

A Goemulgal person of Mabuiag Island (Torres Strait Islands), Associate Professor Whop has devoted herself to advancing Indigenous public health policies. Her impactful research has targeted crucial public health issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, focusing on cervical cancer.

Her dedication and contributions to improving public health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations have solidified her as a prominent and influential figure in the field of Indigenous public health.

These awards were presented during the Australian Public Health Conference in Hobart, an annual event organised by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). The theme for the 2023 conference, "Investing in a strong, smart, and sustainable public health system for the future," underscores the profound impact of these exceptional researchers' work on shaping a brighter and more equitable healthcare landscape.