Jeffrey Cannon
Health Economist
BSc(Hons) BBus PhD
jeffrey.cannon@thekids.org.au
https://au.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cannon-5a4956150Dr Jeff Cannon is a health economist based at The Kids Research Institute Australia in Perth, Western Australia. With a PhD in Health Economics from the University of Western Australia, Jeff specialises in the health, economic, and social impacts of infectious diseases, particularly those affecting children and Indigenous communities. His work bridges health economics, disease burden, policy development, and health equity.
Jeff’s groundbreaking research has had global influence, particularly in understanding the burden of Strep A diseases. His modelling was the first to show that skin infections like cellulitis are key drivers of health and economic costs, shaping international vaccine development strategies. He led the development of the first full epidemiological-economic model for all Strep A clinical manifestations—work that has informed global investment, surveillance methods, and vaccine policy, including Australia’s national Strep A Vaccine Initiative.
Beyond Strep A and RHD, Jeff provides health economics expertise across a wide range of projects within the Institute, supporting research and policy translation in areas such as child health, infectious disease, and Indigenous health.
Education and Qualifications
- PhD – The University of Western Australia
Projects
Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium (SAVAC) 2.0
The mission of SAVAC, the Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium, to ensure that safe, effective and affordable Strep A vaccines are available and implemented to decrease the burden of Strep A disease in the most in need.
Coalition to Advance Vaccines Against Group A Streptococcus (CANVAS): A Trans-Tasman Initiative Against Rheumatic Fever
CANVAS is a commitment by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to advance the development of a vaccine against GAS infection, which can cause rheumatic fever.
Burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and impact of prevention strategies: comprehensive evidence to drive the RHD Endgame
This project will use a multi-jurisdictional linked RHD dataset to establish a baseline burden of RHD in Australia to allow for monitoring the impact of burden over time, and to form the basis of clearly defined targets for the END RHD CRE Endgame Strategy.
Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium (SAVAC 1.0)
The Kids Research Institute Australia (Jonathan Carapetis) is a member of the new Global Strep A Vaccine Consortium; a global GAS vaccine consortium that will drive strategic planning to anticipate requirements for licensure, prequalification, and policy recommendations.