Melinda Edmunds
Program Manager, Ear Health
BSc
melinda.edmunds@telethonkids.org.au
Melinda is the Program Manager of the Ear Health team, which sits in the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases.
Melinda has 15 years’ experience in health promotion and public health. Across Melinda’s career she has worked in non-government and tertiary sectors in several areas including state-wide injury prevention, sector development, healthy lifestyle programs, capacity building, and public health advocacy. Melinda has a passion for strategic planning, project management and empowering others to build their skills and make a difference. Melinda has shown strong leadership in her profession holding several executive positions on both state and national Boards and Committees over her career. Melinda is currently a Director and President of the Australian Health Promotion Association Board.
In 2022 Melinda commenced Doctor of Philosophy - Public Health (Curtin University) to continue to expand her research skills and contribution to the field. Melinda believes good research involves the community from the beginning and delivers good outcomes for the community. Translating research outcomes into practical, systemic change is critical.
Projects
Healthy Ears Clinical Trial: A telehealth-facilitated randomised-controlled trial utilising a health promotion intervention to resolve otitis media with effusion for children won specialist Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) waiting lists
A telehealth-facilitated randomised-controlled trial utilising a health promotion intervention to resolve otitis media with effusion for children won specialist Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) waiting lists
Published research
A hospital-based asynchronous ENT telehealth service for children with otitis media: Cost-minimisation and improved access
The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of a hospital-based asynchronous ear, nose, and throat telehealth service (the Ear Portal) in reducing cost and improving access for children with otitis media.
The Investigation of Health-Related Topics on TikTok: A Descriptive Study Protocol
The social media application TikTok allows users to view and upload short-form videos. Recent evidence suggests it has significant potential for both industry and health promoters to influence public health behaviours. This protocol describes a standardised, replicable process for investigations that can be tailored to various areas of research interest, allowing comparison of content and features across public health topics.
Health promotion is central to the establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion) – Curtin University
- Cert IV Training & Assessment – Inspire Education
Awards/Honours
- 2016 - Glen Paley Memorial Award for Outstanding Service, Australian Health Promotion Association, Perth
- 2009 - Student Category, Community Safety Awards, Injury Control Council of WA, Perth
External Positions
- President of the Australian Health Promotion Association
- Adjunct Senior Research Fellow – Curtin University, School of Allied Health