Sandra Downing

Sandra Downing is a researcher affiliated with James Cook University's Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Her work focuses on sexual and reproductive health, public health education, infectious disease management, and disaster health response. She has contributed to studies addressing curriculum gaps in nursing education regarding unintended pregnancies, menstrual hygiene management in Vanuatu, and the implementation of PrEP in healthcare systems. Her research spans qualitative and quantitative methods, with notable contributions to animal-assisted interventions in rehabilitation and HIV/AIDS service delivery.

Research interests include maternal and child health, STI prevention and management, and healthcare equity. Collaborative projects with institutions like JCU highlight her commitment to evidence-based practice, particularly in remote and disaster-affected regions.

Publications emphasize practical applications of research, such as SMS-based health reminders for chlamydia retesting and interdisciplinary approaches to PrEP access. Downing’s work bridges clinical practice and public health policy, addressing systemic gaps in healthcare training and service delivery.