Dr Javanparast is a Senior Research Fellow at the Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity. She has a background in Medicine with many years of experience in primary health care policy, practice and research. She worked for almost 8 years, as the Senior Medical Officer, at the Iranian Ministry of Health when she was invovled in primary health care (particularly child health and nutrition) policy develoment and supervision. Dr Javanparast completed her PhD at Flinders University in 2008. Since then she has been involved in public health teaching and research. Her area of research interests include: primary health care, equity, social determinants of health, and community health workers. She has also an research interest and expertise in child health and breastfeeding.