Dr. Rosanne Freak-Poli

Dr. Rosanne Freak-Poli is a life-course epidemiologist whose work is strongly driven by social justice, emphasising the equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society.

After completing her Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Dr. Freak-Poli was awarded an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellowship and a National Heart Foundation of Australia Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her internationally significant contributions have advanced the understanding of how social determinants underly health and act as risk factors for chronic diseases.

Most recently, Rosanne has demonstrated that social isolation and loneliness are associated with a greater severity of chronic disease risk-factors and lower quality of life; increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia; and worse mental health during cardiovascular disease recovery. Her research among older adults has revealed that social connection, strong support networks, and low levels of loneliness are key indicators of good health and well-being.

Dr. Freak-Poli has also made significant contributions in the field of social prescribing, including a systematic review of its impact on physical health outcomes, focusing on the UK general practitioner referral model and its broader applicability. In Australia, she has advocated for social prescribing through key publications, as an invited expert at the NSW  Parliament Public Hearing - Inquiry into prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness, an Expert Panel chair for Data and Health Equity for Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education (ASPIRE), and through numerous media and podcast invitations. Her work highlights social prescribing’s potential to enhance health and well-being across diverse populations.