Michael Baker

MBChB, FNZCPHM, FRACMA, DComH, DObst
Professor, University of Otago
Michael Baker

Michael is a public health physician and professor at the University of Otago, Wellington. He is a Co-Director of He Kāinga Oranga - Housing and Health Research Programme, and Principal Investigator for the Social Housing Outcomes Worth (SHOW) study which is tracking the health of social housing tenants in New Zealand. He is also involved with the Centre for Sustainable Cities at the University of Otago, Wellington.

Michael's research interests include the health effects of household crowding; home injuries; homelessness; seasonality of disease; climate change; pandemic influenza and how it can be contained; infectious disease epidemiology, and emerging infectious diseases. His work since 2020 has been dominated by assisting with the Covid-19 pandemic response as a member of the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group, and he was a leading architect and advocate for the Covid-19 elimination strategy.

Michael’s work in public health, and for the Covid-19 response in particular, was recognised by awards including: the Health Research Council’s Liley Medal in 2013; the Critic and Conscience of Society Award (from Universities NZ); the Public Health Champion award (from the Public Health Association of NZ); Member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM); 2020 Wellingtonian of the Year, and the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize in 2021.

Key publications

  1. Howden-Chapman P Crane J Keall M Pierse N Baker MG Cunningham C Amore K Aspinall C Bennett J Bierre S Boulic M Chapman R Chisholm E Davies C Fougere G Fraser B
    2023
    He Kāinga Oranga: reflections on 25 years of measuring the improved health, wellbeing and sustainability of healthier housing
    Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
    Volume 54, 2024
  2. Keall, M.
    Tupara, H.
    Pierse, N.
    Wilkie, M.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Cunningham, C.
    (2021).
    Home modifications to prevent home fall injuries in houses with Māori occupants (MHIPI): a randomised controlled trial.
    Lancet Public Health,
    6(9), e631-e640.
  3. Riggs, L.
    Keall, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Baker, M.
    (2021).
    Environmental burden of disease from unsafe and substandard housing, New Zealand, 2010-2017.
    Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
    99, 259-270.
  4. Bennett, J.
    Zhang, J. Leung, W. Jack, S. Oliver, J. Webb, R. Wilson, N Sika-Paotonu, D. Harwood, M.
    Baker, M.
    (2021).
    Rising ethnic inequalities in acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, New Zealand, 2000-2018.
    Emerging Infectious Diseases,
    27(1), 36-46. doi: 10.3201/eid2701.191791
  5. Thomas, S.
    Bennett, J.
    Jack, S. Oliver, J. Purdie, G. Upton, A.
    Baker, M.
    (2021).
    Descriptive analysis of group A Streptococcus in skin swabs and acute rheumatic fever, Auckland, New Zealand, 2010–2016.
    Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific,
    8, 100101.
  6. Robertson, O.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Baker, M.
    Atatoa Carr, P.
    Pierse, N.
    (2021).
    Residential mobility and changes in deprivation levels for 0-4 year olds in New Zealand.
    International Journal of Population Data Science,
    5(5).
  7. Robertson, O.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Baker, M.
    Atatoa Carr, P.
    Pierse, N.
    (2021).
    Residential mobility for a national cohort of New Zealand-born children by area socioeconomic deprivation level and ethnic group.
    BMJ Open,
    11, e039706.
  8. Pierse, N.
    White, M.
    Ombler, J.
    Davis, C.
    Chisholm, E.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2020).
    Well Homes Initiative: A home-based initiative to address housing-related ill health.
    Health Education and Behavior,
    47(6), 836-844.
  9. Keall, M.
    Tupara, H.
    Pierse, N.
    Wilkie, M.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Cunningham, C.
    (2020).
    Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial of home modification to prevent home fall injuries in houses with Māori occupants.
    MDPI Methods and Protocols,
    3(4), 71.
  10. Robertson, O.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Baker, M.
    Atatoa-Carr, P.
    Pierse, N.
    (2020).
    Changes in area deprivation by moves for New Zealand children.
    Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,
  11. Oliver, J. Foster, T. Williamson, D.A.
    Pierse, N.
    Baker, M.
    (2018).
    Using preceding hospital admissions to identify children at risk of developing acute rheumatic fever.
    Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health,
    54(5), 499-505.
  12. Keall, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Pierse, N.
    Cunningham, C.
    Baker, M.
    (2018).
    Lessons Learned from Implementing a Programme of Home Modifications to Prevent Falls amongst the General Population.
    Safety,
    4(2), 26;
  13. Howden-Chapman, P.
    Chisholm, E.
    Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Viggers, H.
    O'Sullivan, K.
    Bennett, J.
    Bierre, S.
    Preval, N.
    Tiatia, R.
    Ombler, J.
    Amore, K.
    Rivera-Muñoz, G. Davies, C.
    Aspinall, C.
    Oliver, J.
    Baker, M.
    Keall, M.
    Crane, J.
    Pierse, N.
    (2017).
    Housing, energy and health in resilient cities.
    Cities in New Zealand: Preferences, patterns and possibilities,
    Howden-Chapman, L. Early & J. Ombler (Eds.), (pp. 95-106). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Aotearoa.
  14. Oliver, J. Foster, T. Kvalsvig, A. Williamson, D.A.
    Baker, M.
    Pierse, N.
    (2017).
    Risk of rehospitalisation and death for vulnerable New Zealand children.
    BMJ, Archives of Disease in Childhood,
    103(4).
  15. Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Bennett, J.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Jacobs, D.E. Ormandy, D. Cutler-Welsh, M. Preval N.
    Baker, M.
    Keall, M.
    (2017).
    Measuring the Effect of Housing Quality Interventions: The Case of the New Zealand “Rental Warrant of Fitness”.
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
    2017, 4.
  16. Tiatia, R.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Robson, B.
    Baker, M.
    Brown, D. Davies, C. McLean, M. Laing, P. Sung, Y. Sim, D. Early, L.
    (2016).
    Household Crowding and Rheumatic Fever Study – Technical Report.
    He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme. University of Otago, Wellington.
    Download document
    HOUSEHOLD-CROWDING-AND-RHEUMATIC-FEVER-STUDY-TECHNICAL-REPORT-2.pdf
  17. Keall, M.
    Pierse, N.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Guria, J.
    Cunningham, C.
    Baker, M.
    (2016).
    Cost—benefit analysis of fall injuries prevented by a programme of home modifications: A cluster randomised controlled trial.
    Injury Prevention,
    23(1). doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041947
  18. Oliver, J.
    Pierse, N.
    Baker, M.
    (2015).
    Estimating rheumatic fever incidence in New Zealand using multiple data sources.
    Epidemiology & Infection,
    143(1), 167-177. doi: 10.1017/s0950268814000296
  19. Keall, M.
    Pierse, N.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Cunningham, C.
    Cunningham, M. Guria, J.
    Baker, M.
    (2015).
    Home modifications to reduce injuries from falls in the Home Injury Prevention Intervention (HIPI) study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.
    The Lancet,
    385 (9964), 231-238.
    Download document
    Home-modifications-to-reduce-injuries-from-falls-in-the-Home-Injury-Prevention-Intervention-Lancet-published.pdf
  20. Baker, M.
    McDonald, A. Zhang, J.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2013).
    Infectious Diseases Attributable to Household Crowding in New Zealand: A Systematic Review and Burden of Disease Estimate.
    He Kāinga Oranga/Housing & Health Research Programme, University of Otago.
    Download document
    HH-Crowding-ID-Burden-25-May-2013.pdf
  21. Baker, M.
    Goodyear, R.
    Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2012).
    The distribution of household crowding in New Zealand: An analysis based on 1991 to 2006 Census data.
    He Kāinga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme, University of Otago.
    Download document
    HH-Crowding-in-NZ-25-May-2013.pdf
  22. Baker, M.
    Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Kvalsvig, A. Verrall, A. Zhang, J.
    Keall, M.
    Wilson, N. Wall, T.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2012).
    Increasing incidence and inequalities in infectious diseases in a developed country.
    The Lancet,
    D-11-03603R2.
  23. Amore, K.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2011).
    A critical review of the ETHOS definition and classification of homelessness.
    European Journal of Homelessness,
    5(2), 19-37.
  24. Baker, M.
    Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Zhang, J. Verrall, A.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2010).
    Close-contact infectious diseases in New Zealand: Trends and ethnic inequalities in hospitalisations, 1989-2008.
    A report prepared for the Māori Health Directorate, Ministry of Health.
    Download document
    Close-Contact-IDs-in-NZ-June-2010.pdf
  25. Baker, M.
    Zhang, J.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2010).
    Health Impacts of Social Housing: Hospitalisations in Housing New Zealand Applicants and Tenants, 2003-2008.
    Wellington: He Kāinga Oranga/ Housing & Health Research Programme, University of Otago.
    Download document
    Microsoft-Word-Health-Impacts-of-Social-Housing-June-2010-FINAL1.pdf
  26. Baker, M.
    Zhang, J.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2010).
    Health Status of Housing New Zealand Applicants and Tenants: Key Indicators for 2004-2008.
    He Kāinga Oranga / Housing & Health Research Programme University of Otago, Wellington.
    Download document
    Microsoft-Word-Health-Status-of-HNZC-Apps-Tenant-2004-2008-May-2010-FINAL1.pdf
  27. Keall, M.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Cunningham, M. Ormandy, D.
    (2010).
    Assessing housing quality and its impact on health, safety and sustainability.
    Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,
    64(9), 765-771.
  28. Hales, S. Blakely, T. Foster, R.H.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2010).
    Seasonal patterns of mortality in relation to social factors.
    Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,
    66(4). doi:10.1136/jech.2010.111864.
  29. Howden-Chapman, P.
    Keall, M.
    Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Baker, M.
    Zhang, J. Verrall, A. Lanumata, T.
    (2010).
    Close-contact infectious diseases in New Zealand: Trends and ethnic inequalities in hospitalisations,1989 to 2008 - 2nd Edition
    He Kāinga Oranga/Housing & Health Research Programme University of Otago, Wellington.

    Our key researchers: -->

    Download document
    Close-contact-IDs-2nd-edition1.pdf
  30. Keall, M.
    Kamalesh, V.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2009).
    Taranaki home injury hazards study.
    Build Magazine,
    112, 52-5.
    Download document
    BuildMagazine112Pg52-53.pdf
  31. Telfar-Barnard, L.
    Baker, M.
    Hales, S.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2008).
    Excess winter morbidity and mortality: still a lack of evidence that housing or socio-economic status makes much difference.
    Reviews on Environmental Health,
    23(3), 203-221.
  32. Howden-Chapman, P.
    Pierse, N.
    Nicholls, S.
    Bennett, J.
    Viggers, H.
    Cunningham, M. Phipps, R. Boulic, M. Fjallstrom, P. Free, S. Chapman, R. ...
    Baker, M.
    Cunningham, C.
    ...
    Crane, J.
    (2008).
    Effects of improved home heating on asthma in community dwelling children: randomised community study.
    BMJ,
    337(a1411), 852-5. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a1411
  33. Baker, M.
    Das, D. Venugopal, K.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    (2008).
    Tuberculosis associated with household crowding in developed country.
    Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health,
    62(8),1-8.
  34. Jaine, R.
    Baker, M.
    Venugopal, K.
    (2008).
    Epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever in New Zealand 1996-2005.
    Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health,
    44, 564–571.
    Download document
    Jaine-Epi-ARF-in-NZ-J-Paed-Child-Health-2008.pdf
  35. Keall, M.
    Baker, M.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Cunningham, M.
    Cunningham, C.
    (2007).
    Healthy Housing Index Pilot Study Final Report.
    He Kāinga Oranga/Housing & Health Research Programme Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington.
    Download document
    Healthy-Housing-Index-Pilot-Study-Final-Report-2007.pdf
  36. Howden-Chapman, P.
    Matheson, A.
    Crane, J.
    Viggers, H.
    Cunningham, M. Blakely, T.
    Cunningham, C.
    Woodward, A.
    Saville-Smith, K.
    O’Dea, D. Kennedy, M.
    Baker, M.
    Waipara, N. Chapman, R. Davie, G.
    (2007).
    Effect of insulating existing houses on health inequality: cluster randomised study in the community.
    BMJ,
    334, 460. doi:10.1136/bmj.39070.573032.80
    Download document
    Effect-of-insulating-existing-houses-on-health-inequality-cluster-randomised-study-in-the-community.pdf
  37. Dilip, D.
    Baker, M.
    Kamalesh, V. McAllister, S.
    (2006).
    Why the tuberculosis incidence rate is not falling in New Zealand.
    New Zealand Medical Journal,
    119 (1243).
    Download document
    Das-Why-TB-not-falling-in-NZ-NZMJ-2006.pdf
  38. Dilip, D.
    Baker, M.
    Lester, C.
    (2006).
    Tuberculosis epidemiology in New Zealand: 1995–2004.
    New Zealand Medical Journal,
    119 (1243).
    Download document
    Das-TB-Epi-NZ-1995-2004-NZMJ-2006.pdf
  39. Baker, M.
    Zhang, J.
    Howden-Chapman, P.
    Blakely, T.
    Saville-Smith, K.
    Crane, J.
    (2006).
    Housing, Crowding and Health Study: Characteristics of Cohort Members and their Hospitalisations – February 2003 to June 2005.
    He Kāinga Oranga / Housing & Health Research Programme Wellington School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
    Download document
    Housing-Crowding-and-Health-Characterisations-of-Cohort-Members-and-their-Hospitalisations.pdf
  40. Howden-Chapman, P.
    Crane, J.
    Matheson, A.
    Viggers, H.
    Cunningham, M. Blakely, T. O’Dea, D.
    Cunningham, C.
    Woodward, A. Saville-Smith, A.
    Baker, M.
    Waipara, N.
    (2005).
    Retrofitting houses with insulation to reduce health inequalities: Aims and methods of a clustered, randomised community-based trial
    Social Science and Medicine,
    61(12, 2600-2610.
    Download document
    Insulation-proofs.pdf

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