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BSc, DPH, MPH, PhDDr Julie Bennett 2019 thumbnail
Research Associate Professor, HPARC

Contact details  

Email julie.bennett@otago.ac.nz

Research interests and activities  

Research Associate Professor Julie Bennett is based in the Department of Public Health in Wellington. She has a diverse range of public health research interests, with a particular focus on infectious diseases, indoor air quality, housing and health.

Julie’s current work is centred on group A streptococcal (Strep A) infections, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever is a serious autoimmune condition that can develop following a Strep A infection. Globally, Strep A is recognised as one of the top 10 infectious causes of death. In Aotearoa, the rates of rheumatic fever remain alarmingly high, and the underlying causes and pathology of the disease are still not fully understood.

Julie is the lead researcher on a trans-Tasman collaboration investigating less painful and longer-lasting methods for delivering benzathine penicillin to prevent rheumatic heart disease. SCIP RHD is currently trialling subcutaneous penicillin injections in children and young people who are on secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic fever. Julie is also the project manager for Rapua te mea ngaro ka tau, a project focused on developing a Strep A vaccine.

Alongside her research, Julie is actively involved in both national and international health initiatives. She is a member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline development group for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, as well as a member of Pū Manawa (Rheumatic fever network Aotearoa New Zealand). Julie also sits on the WHO technical consultation group on the airborne transmission of infectious pathogens. She is a member of He Kainga Oranga (the Housing and Health Research Programme) and a founding member of the New Zealand Indoor Air Quality Research Centre.

Find out more about Julie's affiliations:

Publications

Oliver, J., Jack, S., Bennett, J., & Baker, M. G. (2026). Group C/G Streptococcal pharyngitis and acute rheumatic fever in Auckland, New Zealand, 2010-2016. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jpc.70440 Journal - Research Other

Middleton, F. M., McGregor, R., Lorenz, N., Kilian, S., Brooks, A. E. S., Park, S. M., … Bennett, J., … Moreland, N. J. (2026). CXCR3 is associated with T-cell-induced heart damage in acute rheumatic fever. Nature Communications. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-71094-8 Journal - Research Article

Coulson, G., Bennett, J., Halley, C., Rindelaub, J., Olivares, G., & Longley, I. (2026). Fire smoke and public health: From delayed warnings to real-time action. The Briefing, (5 March). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fire-smoke-and-public-health-delayed-warnings-real-time-action Journal - Research Other

Anderson, A., Fox-Lewis, S., Afoa-Stone, C.-J., Muliaumasealii, M., Heremaia, T., Borland, A., … Bennett, J. (2026). Māori and Pacific people's perspectives on Group A Streptococcus vaccine development and delivery in Aotearoa, New Zealand. PLOS Global Public Health, 6(2), e0005787. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0005787 Journal - Research Article

Cooper, J., Bennett, J., Muliaumasealii, M., Moodley, D., Ulugia, J., & Anderson, A. (2025). SCIP: Convenient and effective treatment for Māori, Pacific peoples in preventing rheumatic heart disease. Proceedings of the Infectious Diseases & Pandemic Preparedness Summit. (pp. 35-36). Retrieved from https://www.teniwha.com Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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