World Field Epidemiology Day: Prof Fay Johnston

For World Field Epidemiology Day, Women’s Global Health Australia is proud to launch another special profiling series to highlight the incredible work of women in field epidemiology. This year's theme is “Making our Mark”, and by sharing these women’s stories we hope to shine a light on the impact that field epidemiologists have on public health. 

Committee member Prof Jaya Dantas interviewed Prof Fay Johnston who is a public health physician and environmental epidemiologist. She is also the lead investigator of the Centre for Safe Air; an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in air quality.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your role and the journey you undertook to work in the intersection of gender and health.

My career began in the 1980s and 90s as a remote doctor in the Northern Territory. It was here that I learnt from my patients that smoky air during the dry season was causing some health problems. This led to my PhD and I am now a research professor in environmental epidemiology, focussing on the public health impacts of air pollution, especially the impacts of escalating wildfires. 

I have an equity focus and, as with many other things, the adverse impacts of air pollution are experienced differently by gender - for social, economic and biological reasons. The huge global toll of illness and death from open cooking fires for example is disproportionality experienced by women and the children in their care. There are specific additional vulnerabilities associated with exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, and in early life - especially from conception to 5 years of age. On the other side - occupational exposures to air pollution leading to epidemics of asbestosis, and silicosis and cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma are disproportionately experienced by men. In both cases the intersection with social and economic disadvantage exacerbates the risk of exposure and access to appropriate responses and health care.

What is the favourite thing about what you do?

I love research and breaking new ground in knowledge. I love finding creative ways to apply our existing knowledge and influence policy. I also really enjoy supporting the next generation of women and their allies in science.

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What challenges have you faced that brought you on this journey and how you overcame them?

Compared with many other women around the world my challenges have been minor. My strategy is to stay focussed on why I think I will make a difference in this world. It’s easy to get disheartened by knockbacks, especially if you are not sure why you are working as hard as you do. If you know that your achievements both big and small are contributing to meaningful change then you can stay focussed on the long-term goals.

What gaps do you see in regards to your work in gender and women in health broadly?

There has been a lot of epidemiological work describing higher risk groups with respect to air pollution but much less about applying that knowledge and finding solutions. The great thing about working in air quality is that any reduction in air pollution will cause major health and economic benefits - and those who are at highest risk will benefit the most from such improvements.

What do you believe are the most pressing issues for women globally right now?

The massive and escalating social and environmental changes - especially relating to climate change. Wildfires and the severe pollution they generate are just one example. Their escalating impacts increase inequity in every way including health, social disadvantage, and between the generations.

How can we encourage others to pursue a career in gender-related health?

My view is that if you want to make a real difference in the world -  gender is a fantastic place to start because it shapes everything. If we improve gender equity then we will improve population level health, education, and prosperity.