The focus of this Centre is chronic non-communicable diseases, with emphasis on disadvantaged, transitional and high-risk populations. It embraces clinical sciences, epidemiology, population health, genetics, morphologic studies, as well as evaluations of potential preventative and therapeutic interventions. 

The formation of CCD in 2002 was catalysed by major funding from the Colonial Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Federal Department of Heath Australia (DoHA), for a research program entitled Chronic Disease in High-Risk Populations. It has received substantial additional funding from a variety of government and commercial entities.

CCD is housed in The University of Queensland's Health Sciences Building, on the Herston/Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital campus, in Queensland Australia. 

Director: Professor Wendy Hoy AO, FAA