Caroline de Costa

In her clinical practice Caroline became deeply involved in improving outcomes for indigenous women in the area of obstetrics and gynaecology. She conducted research into possible interventions to reduce the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome amongst the children of indigenous women in Far North Queensland. She has conducted several studies into the vitamin D levels and requirements of pregnant women in Far North Queensland in order to determine whether these differ from those of women in more temperate zones. She a has a major interest in caesarean section, including the history and social implications of this common operation as well as techniques and risks of the surgery.

Much of Caroline’s research over the past ten years has been in the area of abortion service provision and abortion law reform. She has published extensively with multiple co-authors both nationally and internationally on these topics, and has been active and successful in public movements to reform abortion law. Caroline’s interests also include:

Obstetric Epidemiology
Gynaecological Cancer Screening
Contraceptive service provision particularly in relation to abortion
The learning requirements of medical students in regard to obstetrics, gynaecology and women’s health
Professor de Costa is a regular reviewer for:
Medical Journal of Australia
ANZJOG
Australian Prescriber
Canadian Medical Journal
Indian Medical Journal
The Lancet