Julie Bennett, Department of Public Health, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington, University of Otago, New Zealand

Dr Julie Bennett 2019 thumbnail

BSc, DPH, MPH, PhD

Senior Research Fellow; HEIRU

Contact Details
Research Interests and Activities
Publications

Contact details

Research interests and activities

Dr Julie Bennett is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health in Wellington. She has a wide range of public health research interests, with a particular focus on infectious diseases, indoor air quality, housing and health. Her research activities currently have a strong focus on group A streptococcal infections, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

Julie is the lead researcher of SCIP RHD, a Trans-Tasman collaboration trialling subcutaneous infusions of benzathine penicillin for prevention of rheumatic heart disease. Julie also leads the “Isolate study” which aims to establish if group A streptococcal isolates detected prior to rheumatic fever differ from those collected on hospital admission. Julie project manages the “Endgame” project, led by Professor Michael Baker, which aims to develop an optimal strategy for ending rheumatic fever in New Zealand and the “START” study, led by Dr Nikki Moreland that aims to develop and validate biomarkers that may form the basis for a rheumatic fever blood test. Julie is a member of Pū Manawa (Rheumatic fever network Aotearoa New Zealand) and the World Health Organization ARF and RHD guideline development group.

Julie is a member of He Kainga Oranga (Housing and Health Research Programme), which was awarded the Rutherford Medal in 2021 and is a founding member of the New Zealand Indoor Air Quality Research Centre.

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Publications

Kvalsvig, A., Brooks, A., Wilson, N., Bennett, J., Summers, J., Timu-Parata, C., Wild, C., Tuari-Toma, B., Jackson, C., Baker, M. (2022, March). Longer-term harm from Covid-19 in children: The evidence suggests greater efforts are needed to protect children in Aotearoa NZ from infection. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/longer-term-harm-from-covid-19-in-children-the-evidence-suggests-greater-efforts-are-needed-to-protect-children-in-aotearoa-nz-from-infection/

Kvalsvig, A., Wilson, N., Timu-Parata, C., Tuari-Toma, B., Summers, J., Davies, C., Jackson, C., Bennett, J., Baker, M. G. (2022, January). Protecting New Zealand children from the developing Omicron outbreak. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/protecting-new-zealand-children-from-the-developing-omicron-outbreak/

Whitcombe, A. L., McGregor, R., Bennett, J., Gurney, J. K., Williamson, D. A., Baker, M. G., & Moreland, N. J. (2022). Increased breadth of Group A Streptococcus antibody responses in children with acute rheumatic fever compared to precursor pharyngitis and skin infections. Journal of Infectious Diseases. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac043

Grout, L., Wilson, N., Bennett, J., Summers, J., Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M. (2021, August). Throwing open the windows: The need for ventilation improvements as part of Covid-19 outbreak control in Aotearoa. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/throwing-open-the-windows-the-need-for-ventilation-improvements-as-part-of-covid-19-outbreak-control-in-aotearoa/

Kvalsvig, A., Bennett, J., Russell, J., Summers, J., Grout, L., Baker, M., Wilson, N. (2021, September). Improving ventilation in schools: A key protection against Covid-19 outbreaks and an enduring legacy for healthier learning. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/improving-ventilation-in-schools-a-key-protection-against-covid-19-outbreaks-and-an-enduring-legacy-for-healthier-learning

Howden-Chapman, P., Bennett, J., & Siebers, R. (Eds.). (2009). Do damp and mould matter? Health impacts of leaky homes. Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts, 172p.

Edited Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P., Chisholm, E., Telfar Barnard, L., Viggers, H., O'Sullivan, K., Bennett, J., Bierre, S., Preval, N., Randal, E., Tiatia, R., Ombler, J., Amore, K., Rivera-Muñoz, G., … Davies, C., Aspinall, C., Oliver, J., Baker, M., Keall, M., … Crane, J., & Pierse, N. (2017). Housing, energy and health in resilient cities. In P. Howden-Chapman, L. Early & J. Ombler (Eds.), Cities in New Zealand: Preferences, patterns and possibilities. (pp. 95-106). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Aotearoa.

Chapter in Book - Research

Howden-Chapman, P., & Bennett, J. (2009). Why indoor dampness and mould matter. In P. Howden-Chapman, J. Bennett & R. Siebers (Eds.), Do damp and mould matter? Health impacts of leaky homes. (pp. 7-18). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Moreland, N. J., Williamson, D. A., Carapetis, J., Crane, J., Whitcombe, A. L., Jack, S., … Baker, M. G. (2021). Comparison of group A streptococcal titres in healthy children and those with pharyngitis and skin infections. Journal of Infection. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.10.014

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Zhang, J., Leung, W., Jack, S., Oliver, J., Webb, R., … Sika-Paotonu, D., Harwood, M., & Baker, M. G. (2021). Rising ethnic inequalities in acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, New Zealand, 2000-2018. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(1), 36-46. doi: 10.3201/eid2701.191791

Journal - Research Article

Cannon, J., Zhang, J., Bennett, J., Moreland, N. J., Baker, M. G., Geelhoed, E., … Jack, S. (2021). The economic and health burden of disease caused by Group A Streptococcus in New Zealand. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 103, 176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.193

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Bennett, J., Thomas, S., Zhang, J., Pierse, N., Moreland, N. J., Williamson, D. A., Jack, S., & Baker, M. (2021). Preceding group A streptococcus skin and throat infections are individually associated with acute rheumatic fever: Evidence from New Zealand. BMJ Global Health, 6, e007038. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007038

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Robertson, O., Zhang, J., Marsters, B. L., Sika-Paotonu, D., Jack, S., Bennett, J., Williamson, D. A., … Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2021). Early release-ethnically disparate disease progression and outcomes among acute rheumatic fever patients in New Zealand, 1989–2015. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(7), 1893-1901. doi: 10.3201/eid2707.203045

Journal - Research Article

Thomas, S., Bennett, J., Jack, S., Oliver, J., Purdie, G., Upton, A., & Baker, M. G. (2021). Descriptive analysis of group A Streptococcus in skin swabs and acute rheumatic fever, Auckland, New Zealand, 2010–2016. Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific, 8, 100101. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100101

Journal - Research Article

McGregor, R., Whitcombe, A. L., Sheen, C. R., Dickson, J. M., Day, C. L., Carlton, L. H., … Bennett, J., Baker, M. G., … Moreland, N. J. (2020). Collaborative networks enable the rapid establishment of serological assays for SARS-CoV-2 during nationwide lockdown in New Zealand. PeerJ, 8, e9863. doi: 10.7717/peerj.9863

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Davy, P., Trompetter, B., Wang, Y., Pierse, N., Boulic, M., … Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Sources of indoor air pollution at a New Zealand urban primary school: A case study. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 10, 435-444. doi: 10.1016/j.apr.2018.09.006

Journal - Research Article

Chisholm, E., Keall, M., Bennett, J., Marshall, A., Telfar-Barnard, L., Thornley, L., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Why don't owners improve their homes? Results from a survey following a housing warrant-of-fitness assessment for health and safety. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 43(3), 221-227. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12895

Journal - Research Article

Telfar-Barnard, L., Bennett, J., Robinson, A., Hailes, A., Ombler, J., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Evidence base for a housing warrant of fitness. SAGE Open Medicine, 7. doi: 10.1177/2050312119843028

Journal - Research Article

Telfar-Barnard, L., Bennett, J., Howden-Chapman, P., Jacobs, D. E., Ormandy, D., Cutler-Welsh, M., Preval, N., Baker, M. G., & Keall, M. (2017). Measuring the effect of housing quality interventions: The case of the New Zealand "Rental Warrant of Fitness". International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 14(11), 1352. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111352

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Howden-Chapman, P., Chisholm, E., Keall, M., & Baker, M. G. (2016). Towards an agreed quality standard for rental housing: Field testing of a New Zealand housing WOF tool. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 40(5), 405-411. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12519

Journal - Research Article

Pierse, N., Arnold, R., Keall, M., Howden-Chapman, P., Crane, J., Cunningham, M., the Housing, Heating, and Health Study Research Team, including Bennett, J. (2013). Modelling the effects of low indoor temperatures on the lung function of children with asthma. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 67, 918-925. doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-202632

Journal - Research Article

Gillespie-Bennett, J., Pierse, N., Wickens, K., Crane, J., Howden-Chapman, P., and the Housing Heating and Health Study Research Team, including Viggers, H., & Lloyd, B. (2011). The respiratory health effects of nitrogen dioxide in children with asthma. European Respiratory Journal, 38, 303-309. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00115409

Journal - Research Article

Free, S., Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N., Viggers, H., the Housing, Heating, and Health Study Research Team, including Nicholls, S., Bennett, J., Shields, D., Lloyd, B., Wickens, K., Baker, M., & Crane, J. (2010). More effective home heating reduces school absences for children with asthma. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 64(5), 379-386. doi: 10.1136/jech.2008.086520

Journal - Research Article

Preval, N., Chapman, R., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., the Housing, Heating, and Health Study Research Team, including Gillespie-Bennett, J. (2010). Evaluating energy, health and carbon co-benefits from improved domestic space heating: A randomised community trial. Energy Policy, 38(8), 3965-3972. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2010.03.020

Journal - Research Article

Boulic, M., Fjällström, P., Phipps, R., Cunningham, M., Cleland, D., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., … Viggers, H., … and the Housing, Heating, and Health Team, including Baker, M., Crane, J., Cunningham, C., Free, S., Gillespie-Bennett, J., Shields, D., & Wickens, K. (2008). Cold homes in New Zealand: Does increasing the heater capacity improve indoor temperatures? Clean Air & Environmental Quality, 42(3), 22-29.

Journal - Research Article

Gillespie-Bennett, J., Pierse, N., Wickens, K., Crane, J., Nicholls, S., Shields, D., … Viggers, H., Baker, M., … Howden-Chapman, P. (2008). Sources of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in New Zealand homes: Findings from a community randomized controlled trial of heater substitutions. Indoor Air, 18(6), 521-528. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00554.x

Journal - Research Article

Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N., Nicholls, S., Gillespie-Bennett, J., Viggers, H., Cunningham, M., … Free, S., … Lloyd, B., Wickens, K., Shields, D., Baker, M., Cunningham, C., … Crane, J. (2008). Effects of improved home heating on asthma in community dwelling children: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 337, 852-855. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1411

Journal - Research Article

Gillespie, J., Wickens, K., Siebers, R., Howden-Chapman, P., Town, I., Epton, M., Fitzharris, P., … Crane, J., and the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Birth Cohort Study Group, including Ingham, T., Irvine, V., Lampshire, P., Leadbitter, P., & Silvers, K. M. (2006). Endotoxin exposure, wheezing, and rash in infancy in a New Zealand birth cohort. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 118, 1265-1270. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.07.051

Journal - Research Article

Gillespie, J., Milne, K., & Wilson, N. (2005). Secondhand smoke in New Zealand homes and cars: Exposure, attitudes, and behaviours in 2004. New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1227). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1227/1782/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Gillespie, J., Siebers, R. W. L., & Crane, J. (2003). The hygiene hypothesis: The good, the bad, and the evil - a low-down on dirt. New Zealand Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 111-115.

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Anderson, A., 'Ofanoa, M., Anderson, P., Baker, M. G., Brown, R., … Eggleton, K., Harwood, M., … Malcolm, J., … Sika-Paotonu, D., … Wilson, N. (2021). Acute rheumatic fever: A preventable, inequitable disease: A call for action. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1535), 93-95. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Bennett, J., Rentta, N. N., Leung, W., Atkinson, J., Wilson, N., Webb, R., & Baker, M. G. (2021). Early diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease as part of a secondary prevention strategy: Narrative review. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15664

Journal - Research Other

Bennett, J., Rentta, N., Leung, W., Anderson, A., Oliver, J., Wyber, R., Harwood, M., … Baker, M. G. (2021). Structured review of primary interventions to reduce group A streptococcal infections, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15514

Journal - Research Other

Cannon, J. W., Bennett, J., Baker, M. G., & Carapetis, J. R. (2021). Time to address the neglected burden of group A Streptococcus. Medical Journal of Australia, 215(2), 94-94.e1. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51149

Journal - Research Other

Ralph, A. P., Webb, R., Moreland, N. J., McGregor, R., Bosco, A., Broadhurst, D., … Bennett, J., … Carapetis, J. R. (2021). Searching for a technology-driven acute rheumatic fever test: The START study protocol. BMJ Open, 11(9), e053720. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053720

Journal - Research Other

Bennett, J., Moreland, N. J., Oliver, J., Crane, J., Williamson, D. A., Sika-Paotonu, D., … Baker, M. G. (2019). Understanding group A streptococcal pharyngitis and skin infections as causes of rheumatic fever: Protocol for a prospective disease incidence study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 19, 633. doi: 10.1186/s12879-019-4126-9

Journal - Research Other

Bennett, J., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2016). An overview of the housing issues facing New Zealand. The Lens, 2(1), 3-4.

Journal - Research Other

Telfar-Barnard, L., & Bennett, J. (2016). The case for minimum rental housing standards. The Lens, 2(1), 5.

Journal - Research Other

Gillespie-Bennett, J., Keall, M., Howden-Chapman, P., & Baker, M. G. (2013). Improving health, safety and energy efficiency in New Zealand through measuring and applying basic housing standards. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1379), 74-85. Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Bennett, J. (2017). Air pollution in schools. Build, 158, 60-61. Retrieved from https://www.buildmagazine.org.nz/articles/show/air-pollution-in-schools

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Bennett, J. (2016). Costs to reach minimum. Build, 157, 77-78. Retrieved from https://www.buildmagazine.org.nz/articles/show/costs-to-reach-minimum

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Viggers, H., Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N., Gillespie-Bennett, J., Cunningham, M., Phipps, R., & Crane, J. (2008). Effect of installing effective heaters into the homes of asthmatic children. Proceedings of the Population Health Congress. (pp. 50-55). Maroochydore, Australia: Australian Health Promotion Association. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Telfar Barnard, L., & Bennett, J. (2018). Housing quality, home safety, rental housing, environmental health, housing assessment. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Energy and Environment of Residential Buildings (ICEERB): Housing Sustainability in Urban Areas. (pp. 27). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/iceerb-2018

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Bennett, J. (2017). Warmer, drier and healthier buildings: Exposure to indoor air pollution at school. Proceedings of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ): The Critical Atmosphere. Retrieved from http://casanz2017.com/program/interactive-program/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Bennett, J., Birchfield, D., Rissel, Z., Featherstone, L., Cutler-Welsh, M., Moore, T., … Keall, M., Baker, M., Chisholm, E., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2014). Towards a minimum housing standard for rentals: Results from New Zealand's first warrant of fitness pre-test. Proceedings of the New Zealand Population Health Congress: Connecting Communities, Policy and Science. (pp. 45). Retrieved from http://www.pophealthcongress.org.nz/nzphc14/programme/programme

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gillespie, J., Howden-Chapman, P., Crane, J., Wickens, K., Pierse, N., Viggers, H., … Housing and Heating Research Team. (2007). Improving the indoor air in New Zealand homes: The respiratory health effects of nitrogen dioxide exposure. Proceedings of the 14th International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) World Congress. Retrieved from http://www.iuappa2007.com/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gillespie-Bennett, J., Pierse, N., Wickens, K., Crane, J., Viggers, H., Nicholls, S., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2008, August). Improving indoor air in New Zealand homes: The respiratory health effects of nitrogen dioxide exposure. Verbal presentation at the Indoor Air Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Other Research Output

Jermy, M., Bennett, J., Chen, J., Taptiklis, P., Shorter, C. (2021, October). Reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission through the use of air purifiers. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/reducing-the-risk-of-covid-19-transmission-through-the-use-of-air-purifiers/

Other Research Output

Longley, I., Bennett, J. (2021, October). Monitoring CO2 indoors for improving ventilation as a Covid-19 control tool. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/monitoring-co2-indoors-for-improving-ventilation-as-a-covid-19-control-tool/

Other Research Output

Wilson, N., Bennett, J., Grout, L., Russell, J., Summers, J., Baker, M. (2021, September). Intensifying Covid-19 control measures: 5 measures for faster elimination and 5 measures to prevent future outbreaks. Public Health Expert blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/intensifying-covid-19-control-measures-5-measures-for-faster-elimination-and-5-measures-to-prevent-future-outbreaks

Other Research Output

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