Senior Lecturer
MB ChB DipComH FAFPHM
Email cheryl.brunton@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 364 3625
Department of Population Health
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345
Christchurch 8140
Background
Cheryl originally trained as a medical practitioner and worked for almost a decade in general practice and emergency medicine, before retraining as a public health medicine specialist.
After completing the Diploma in Community Health in 1989, she began work as a public health registrar for the Primary Health Division of the Canterbury Area Health Board.
She combined management of rural district nursing and home care services, general practice liaison, and lecturing in public health at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences until 1993, when she became a fulltime Lecturer at the School.
Cheryl also works four days a week as a public health physician in the Community and Public Health Division of the Canterbury District Health Board.Her duties there include acting as Medical Officer of Health for the West Coast.
Her contact details at C&PH are:
Tel +64 3 364 1777
Email cheryl.brunton@cdhb.health.nz
Award
- Public Health Champion for 2009
Teaching 2017
- PUBH 733 Environment and Health
- Teaches Physical Environment/Housing to the 4th year Undergraduate students.
Research Interests
- Epidemiology of hepatitis C among injecting drug users [and related areas of drug policy]
- Communicable disease surveillance and control [including zoonotic disease such as campylobacteriosis]
- Environmental health policy [including health impact assessment]
- Epidemiology of hepatitis C among injecting drug users [and related areas of drug policy]
- Communicable disease surveillance and control [including zoonotic disease such as campylobacteriosis]
- Environmental health policy [including health impact assessment]
Projects
- National Needle Exchange Blood-borne Virus Seroprevalence Survey (BBVNEX2009)
- Screening for influenza infection in international airline travellers arriving in New Zealand
- Hand sanitisers for reducing illness absence in primary school children - a randomised controlled trial
- National Serosurvey of Vaccine Preventable Diseases
- Chronic liver disease mortality attributable to hepatitis B and C in New Zealand
- Determinants of risk for transmission of hepatitis C in young injecting drug users.
- 198 Youth Health Centre hepatitis C surveillance project
- National influenza and pneumococcal immunisation attitudes study
Professional Activities
- Health Research Council's Public Health Research Committee [member 1996-2000]
- Public Health Association of NZ [PHA National Vice-President 1995-1997 & editor of national PHA newsletter 1994-1999]
- Consultant for Ministry of Health and Public Health Service
- Examiner for NZ Branch of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine [1997 - 2000] , currently mentor for registrars in AFPHM's training scheme & Corresponding Editor of Australasian newsletter [Snow's Field]
- Member of Advisory Board National Opioid Treatment Training Programme [since Feb 2001]
- Chair Hepatitis C Services Trust Te Waipounamu [1998 to present]
Student Supervision
Student: Sarah Colhoun
Degree: MPH
Topic: Media constructions of public views about freshwater and their implications for public health
2012
Student: Gerida Birukila
Degree: PhD thesis
Topic: Culture, Risk and HIV: The Case of Black African Migrants and Refugees in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Co-Supervisor: Nigel Dickson and Lee Thompson
2010
Student: Gillian Abel
Degree: PhD thesis
Topic: Decriminalisation: A harm minimisation and human rights approach to regulating sex work
Co-Supervisor: Lisa Fitzgerald and Elisabeth Wells
Student: Andrew Ball
Degree: PhD thesis
Topic: Drinking-water quality and gastrointestinal disease in New Zealand
Co-Supervisor: Patrick Graham
2006
Student: Lisa Fitzgerald
Degree: PhD thesis
Topic: Localising health: space, class, gender and the lives of young people.
Co-Supervisor: Rosemary DuPlessis and Geoff Fougere (University of Canterbury)
2017
Student: Alex Sullivan
Degree: MPH
Topic: Both sides of the story: understanding the risks of drinking water self-supplies as perceived by New Zealanders living rurally
Co-Supervisor: Gillian Abel
2012
Student: Nicola Laurie
Degree: MPH
Topic: A pandemic and a pandemic vaccine: Primary care perspectives.
Co-Supervisor: Ben Hudson
Student: Susan Bidwell
Degree: MPH
Topic: Talking about 1080: risk, trust and protecting our place
Co-Supervisor: Lee Thompson
2011
Student: Rebecca Dell
Degree: MPH
Topic: Parents’ attitudes to the HPV vaccination for their daughters.
Co-Supervisor: Gillian Abel
2010
Student: Sarah Kowalczewski
Degree: MPH
Topic: The importance of culturally appropriate health promotion
Co-Supervisor: Lee Thompson
Student: Chantal Lauzon
Degree: MPH
Topic: Surveillance of HIV and Hepatitis C prevalence among attendees of needle exchanges throughout New Zealand
Co-Supervisor: Ian Sheerin
Student: Mark Newsome
Degree: MPH
Topic: Pandemic preparedness planning in selected New Zealand public hospitals: Are they prepared?
Co-Supervisor: Pauline Barnett
Student: Mona Schousboe
Degree: MPH
Topic: Governance, management and professional influences on infection control in Canterbury Public Hospitals 1978–2008.
Co-Supervisor: Pauline Barnett
2009
Student: Matthew Reid
Degree: MPH
Topic: Childhood injury surveillance - Methods of surveillance and the information they provide for injury prevention
Student: Rebecca Kemp
Degree: MPH
Topic: Identifying fuel poverty in New Zealand within a community setting.
Co-Supervisor: Ian Sheerin
2008
Student: Alasdair Duncan
Degree: MPH
Topic: Measuring the prevalence of influenza infection in arriving international airline travellers: a pilot study
Co-Supervisor: Rob Weir and Patricia Priest
2007
Student: Emma Davidson
Degree: MPH
Topic: Hepatitis B and C in chronic liver disease deaths.
Co-Supervisor: Rob Weir
Student: Gerida Birukila
Degree: MPH
Topic: Attitudes towards voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV among African migrants and refugees in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Co-Supervisor: A Richardson
Student: Jim Ross
Degree: MHealSci
Topic: Applying discourse analysis in general practice:the case of chronic fatigue syndrome. (withdrawn)
Co-Supervisor:
2006
Student: Brendon Gray
Degree: MPH
Topic: Coercive emergency health powers in New Zealand and proposed legislative reform.
Co-Supervisor: Pauline Barnett
Student: Melanie Penny
Degree: MPH
Topic: Achieving water fluoridation through public policy
Co-Supervisor: Pauline Barnett
2003
Student: Jessica Brady
Degree: MPH
Topic: Primary school policy on bullying: blueprints for health?
Co-Supervisor: Suzanne Pitama
2002
Student: Gillian Abel
Degree: MPH
Topic: Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence and sexual behaviour among adolescents.
Co-Supervisor: Co-supervisor with Ann Richardson
2001
Student: Marie Butterfield
Degree: MPH
Topic: Risk assessment. An analysis of the management of communicable disease in primary schools
Student: Sharon McFarlane
Degree: MPH
Topic: Stress at work: the identification of stressors within a local government organisation
Student: Asha Pun
Degree: MPH
Topic: The role of husband and wife communication in family planning decision making: a case study among couples in a carpet factory in Lalitpur, Nepal.
Co-Supervisor: K. Heckert
2000
Student: Sandy Brinsdon
Degree: MPH
Topic: An examination of the role of local injury data in a community injury prevention project
Student: Simon Peter Kuttikkat
Degree: MPH
Topic: Dental health needs assessment of people on low incomes in Christchurch.
Student:
Degree:
Topic:
Co-Supervisor:
1999
Student: Lynda Jeffs
Degree: MPH
Topic: A culturally safe public health research framework
Co-Supervisor: K. Heckert
1998
Student: Anna Richardson
Degree: MPH
Topic: Health promotion and public health nursing
Student: Rob Weir
Degree: MPH
Topic: Influenza vaccination coverage in Canterbury rest home residents: the effect of free influenza vaccination for those aged 65 and over
1997
Student: Lynley Cook
Degree: MPH
Topic: Factors influencing the adoption of antenatal screening tests.
Student: Philip Hider
Degree: MPH
Topic: The search for the optimal GP:population ratio. A review of existing methodologies and the development and testing of an outcome based alternative
1996
Student: Isobel Martin
Degree: MPH
Topic: Modifiable indoor domestic environmental risk factors for asthma
Student: Richard Pooley
Degree: MPH
Topic: Mycobacterium bovis: an old disease in a new era? A review of the epidemiology and public health importance of human Mycobacterium bovis infection in New Zealand.
Co-Supervisor:
2006-07
Student: Nicholas Pascoe
Topic: A critical media analysis of print media reporting on the implementation of the Prostitution Reform Act, 2003-2006.
Supervisors: Lisa Fitzgerald, Gillian Abel, Cheryl Brunton
Sponsors: Health Research Council of NZ
2004-05
Student: Katie MacKay
Topic: National Needle Exchange Blood-borne Virus Seroprevalence Survey
Supervisors: Cheryl Brunton, Co-supervisor: Charles Henderson [Needle Exchange NZ]
Publications
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Brunton, C., Gullam, J., & Walls, T. (2020). The epidemiology of listeriosis in pregnant women and children in New Zealand from 1997 to 2016: An observational study. BMC Public Health, 20, 116. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8221-z
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Brunton, C., Gullam, J., & Walls, T. (2020). Pregnant women's knowledge of, and adherence to, New Zealand Food Safety in Pregnancy guidelines. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1525), 41-52. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Murdoch, D., Addidle, M., Andersson, H.-S., Arnold, B., Balm, M., Benschop, J., … Birch, M., … Brunton, C., … Chambers, S., … Dalton, S., … Everts, R., … Freeman, J., French, N., … Hudson, B., … Ikram, R., Jack, S., Kelly, M., Lamont, I., Maze, M. J., … Metcalf, S., … Murton, S., … Pink, R., Pithie, A., … Priest, P., Raymond, N., … Taylor, J., … Upton, A., Ussher, J., Werno, A., & Wiles, S. (2020). Politicians: Please work together to minimise the spread of COVID-19. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1511), 7-8. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Martin, N., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2019). The epidemiology of non-viral gastroenteritis in New Zealand children from 1997 to 2015: An observational study. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 18. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-6229-4
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Martin, N., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2019). The epidemiology of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in New Zealand children and the effect of the Campylobacter Strategy: A 20 year observational study. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 38(6), 569-576. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002228
Chapter in Book - Research
Abel, G., Fitzgerald, L., & Brunton, C. (2010). Christchurch School of Medicine study: Methodology and methods. In G. Abel, L. Fitzgerald, C. Healy & A. Taylor (Eds.), Taking the crime out of sex work: New Zealand sex workers' fight for decriminalisation. (pp. 159-172). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.
Brunton, C. (2010). Becoming inspectors of brothels: Public health authorities' experience of implementing the Prostitution Reform Act. In G. Abel, L. Fitzgerald, C. Healy & A. Taylor (Eds.), Taking the crime out of sex work: New Zealand sex workers' fight for decriminalisation. (pp. 173-196). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.
Journal - Research Article
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Brunton, C., Gullam, J., & Walls, T. (2020). The epidemiology of listeriosis in pregnant women and children in New Zealand from 1997 to 2016: An observational study. BMC Public Health, 20, 116. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8221-z
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Brunton, C., Gullam, J., & Walls, T. (2020). Pregnant women's knowledge of, and adherence to, New Zealand Food Safety in Pregnancy guidelines. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1525), 41-52. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Martin, N., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2019). The epidemiology of non-viral gastroenteritis in New Zealand children from 1997 to 2015: An observational study. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 18. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-6229-4
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Martin, N., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2019). The epidemiology of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in New Zealand children and the effect of the Campylobacter Strategy: A 20 year observational study. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 38(6), 569-576. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002228
Walls, T., Cho, V., Martin, N., Williman, J., & Brunton, C. (2018). Vaccine impact on long-term trends in invasive bacterial disease in New Zealand children. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 37(10), 1041-1047. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002071
The Polaris Observatory HCV Collaborators, including Brunton, C. R., & Stedman, C. (2017). Global prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in 2015: A modelling study. Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2(3), 161-176. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(16)30181-9
Hatzakis, A., Chulanov, V., Gadano, A. C., Bergin, C., Ben-Ari, Z., Mossong, J., … Brunton, C. R., … Stedman, C., … Razavi, H. (2015). The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections with today's treatment paradigm: Volume 2. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 22(Suppl. 1), 26-45. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12351
Gane, E., Kershenobich, D., Seguin-Devaux, C., Kristiansen, P., Aho, I., Dalgard, O., … Brunton, C. R., … Stedman, C., … Estes, C. (2015). Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection disease burden: Volume 2. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 22(Suppl. 1), 46-73. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12352
Saraswat, V., Norris, S., de Kneft, R. J., Sanchez Avila, J. F., Sonderup, M., Zuckerman, E., … Stedman, C., … Brunton, C. R., … Gower, E. (2015). Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in select countries: Volume 2. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 22(Suppl. 1), 6-25. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12350
Bartholomew, N., Brunton, C., Mitchell, P., Williamson, J., & Gilpin, B. (2014). A waterborne outbreak of campylobacteriosis in the South Island of New Zealand due to a failure to implement a multi-barrier approach. Journal of Water & Health, 12(3), 555-563. doi: 10.2166/wh.2014.155
Gane, E., Stedman, C., Brunton, C., Radke, S., Henderson, C., Estes, C., & Razavi, H. (2014). Impact of improved treatment on disease burden of chronic hepatitis C in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1407). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Calder, K., Bidwell, S., Brunton, C., & Pink, R. (2014). Evaluation of the Canterbury under-18 seasonal influenza vaccination programme. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1398). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Priest, P., McKenzie, J. E., Audas, R., Poore, M., Brunton, C., & Reeves, L. (2014). Hand sanitiser provision for reducing illness absences in primary school children: A cluster randomised trial. PLoS Medicine, 11(8), e1001700. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001700
Sheerin, I., Bartholomew, N., & Brunton, C. (2014). Estimated community costs of an outbreak of campylobacteriosis resulting from contamination of a public water supply in Darfield, New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1391). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Birukila, G., Brunton, C., & Dickson, N. (2013). HIV-related risk factors among black African migrants and refugees in Christchurch, New Zealand: Results from the Mayisha-NZ survey. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1376). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Hudson, B., Toop, L., Mangin, D., Brunton, C., Jennings, L., & Fletcher, L. (2013). Pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09: Risk of infection in primary healthcare workers. British Journal of General Practice, 63(611), e416-e422. doi: 10.3399/bjgp13X668212
Priest, P. C., Jennings, L. C., Duncan, A. R., Brunton, C. R., & Baker, M. G. (2013). Effectiveness of border screening for detecting influenza in arriving airline travelers. American Journal of Public Health, 103(8), 1412-1418. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2012.300761
McKenzie, J. E., Priest, P., Audas, R., Poore, M. R., Brunton, C. R., & Reeves, L. M. (2010). Hand sanitisers for reducing illness absences in primary school children in New Zealand: A cluster randomised controlled trial study protocol. Trials, 11, 7. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-11-7
Abel, G. M., Fitzgerald, L. J., & Brunton, C. (2009). The impact of decriminalisation on the number of sex workers in New Zealand. Journal of Social Policy, 38(3), 515-531. doi: 10.1017/s0047279409003080
Duncan, A. R., Priest, P. C., Jennings, L. C., Brunton, C. R., & Baker, M. G. (2009). Screening for influenza infection in international airline travelers. American Journal of Public Health, 99(Suppl. 2), S360-S362. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.158071
Barnett, P., Penny, M., Brunton, C., & Begg, A. (2008). Dispatches from the front-line: An analysis of fluoridation campaigns in southern New Zealand, 2002-2006. New Zealand Dental Journal, 104(4), 139-143.
Abel, G., & Brunton, C. (2005). Young people's use of condoms and their perceived vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 29(3), 254-260.
Brunton, C., Weir, R., Jennings, L., for the National Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunisation Attitudes Study (NIPIAS) Group. (2005). Knowledge and attitudes about influenza vaccination amongst general practitioners, practice nurses, and people aged 65 and over. New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1214). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1214/1434/content.pdf
Weir, R., Brunton, C. R., & Blakely, T. A. (2002). Chronic liver disease mortality attributable to hepatitis B and C in New Zealand. Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 17(5), 582-588.
Brunton, C. R., Kemp, R., Raynel, P., Harte, D., & Baker, M. G. (2000). Cumulative incidence of hepatitis C seroconversion in a cohort of seronegative injecting drug users. New Zealand Medical Journal, 113, 98-101.
Weir, R., Jennings, L. C., & Brunton, C. R. (2000). Influenza vaccination coverage in Canterbury rest homes. New Zealand Medical Journal, 113, 503-505.
Chalmers, D. J., Marshall, S. W., Langley, J. D., Evans, M. J., Brunton, C. R., Kelly, A. M., & Pickering, A. F. (1996). Height and surfacing as risk factors for injury in falls from playground equipment: a case-control study. Injury Prevention, 2, 98-104.
Journal - Research Other
Murdoch, D., Addidle, M., Andersson, H.-S., Arnold, B., Balm, M., Benschop, J., … Birch, M., … Brunton, C., … Chambers, S., … Dalton, S., … Everts, R., … Freeman, J., French, N., … Hudson, B., … Ikram, R., Jack, S., Kelly, M., Lamont, I., Maze, M. J., … Metcalf, S., … Murton, S., … Pink, R., Pithie, A., … Priest, P., Raymond, N., … Taylor, J., … Upton, A., Ussher, J., Werno, A., & Wiles, S. (2020). Politicians: Please work together to minimise the spread of COVID-19. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1511), 7-8. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Gray, B., Brunton, C., & Barnett, P. (2006). The Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill: A proper response to the pandemic threat? [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1240). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1240/2124/content.pdf
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Brunton, C. R. (2001). Bugs, borders and biosecurity (editorial). Snow's Field, 11(3), 3-4.
Brunton, C. R. (2001). How to reduce the spread of hepatitis C in New Zealand. New Ethicals Journal, January, 11-16.
Brunton, C. R. (2000). Like minds - making mental health a public health issue (editorial). Snow's Field, 10(1), 3.
Brunton, C. R. (1999). In the firing line of gun control (editorial). Snow's Field, 9(2), 3-4.
Brunton, C. R. (1999). Health for all by the year 2000? Not! (editorial). Snow's Field, 9(4), 3.
Brunton, C. R. (1998). For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health (editorial). Snow's Field, 8(3), 4-5.
Brunton, C. R. (1998). Thoughts on toilet training (editorial). Snow's Field, 8(2), 2-3.
Brunton, C. R. (1998). A big day, a big dark and a big expensive mistake (editorial). Snow's Field, 8(1), 3-4.
Brunton, C. R. (1997). Relationships are vital to health (editorial). Snow's Field, 7(4), 4-5.
Brunton, C. R. (1997). Not in my backyard? (editorial). Snow's Field, 7(2), 4.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Weir, R., Brunton, C., Jennings, L., Smith, L., & Litt, J. (2004). Knowledge and attitudes about influenza vaccination: A New Zealand study of primary care practitioners and elderly people. International Congress Series. 1263, (pp. 276-280). [Full Paper]
Crossen, K., Brunton, C. R., Plumridge, E. W., & Jang, W. (2000). The experiences of people living with hepatitis C. In C. Brunton (Ed.), Proceedings of the Second Australasian Conference on Hepatitis C. (pp. 107-112). Christchurch: Christchurch School of Medicine. [Full Paper]
Lim, G., Brunton, C. R., & Bagshaw, S. (2000). Hepatitis C in young injecting drug users attending a youth health centre. In C. Brunton (Ed.), Proceedings of the Second Australasian Conference on Hepatitis C. (pp. 69-76). Christchurch: Christchurch School of Medicine. [Full Paper]
Brunton, C. R., Kemp, R. J., Miller, J., & Baker, M. G. (1997). Cumulative incidence of hepatitis C seroconversion in a group of previously seronegative injecting drug users. First Australasian Conference on Hepatitis C: Conference Proceedings. (pp. 205-210). Melbourne: First Australasian Conference on Hepatitis C. [Full Paper]
Brunton, C. R. (1997). The New Zealand response to hepatitis C. First Australasian Conference on Hepatitis C: Conference Proceedings. (pp. 40-46). Mlebourne: First Australasian Conference on Hepatitis C. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Walls, T., Jeffs, E., Gullam, J., Brunton, C., & Williman, J. (2019). The epidemiology of listeriosis in pregnant women and children in New Zealand from 1997 to 2016: An observational study. Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID). Retrieved from https://espidmeeting.org
Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Martin, N., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2017). The epidemiology of non-viral gastroenteritis in New Zealand children. Proceedings of the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (WSPID) 10th World Congress. Retrieved from http://www.wspid2017.kenes.com/
Cho, V., Martin, N., Williman, J., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2016). Trends in invasive bacterial disease in New Zealand children: A population based observational study. Proceedings of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases New Zealand Branch Annual Scientific Meeting. Retrieved from https://www.asid.net.au/
Priest, P., McKenzie, J., Audas, R., Poore, M., Brunton, C., & Reeves, L. (2014). Hand sanitiser provision for reducing illness absences in primary school children: A cluster RCT. Proceedings of the New Zealand Population Health Congress: Connecting Communities, Policy and Science. (pp. 37). Retrieved from http://www.pophealthcongress.org.nz/nzphc14/programme/programme
