Public Health Australia

We've all heard the old saying – is better than cure.

As Australia’s health system struggles with the growing burden of preventable disease, Government investment in research to discover new ways to stem the growing tide of illness is essential.

But a new analysis published in ANZJPH shows that when it comes to Government research funding, public health is taking a backseat to clinical interventions, like looking for new cures and treatments.

Find out more ⬇️

New study shows public health research is put in the backseat : Intouch Public Health When it comes to research funding, illness prevention takes a backseat to clinical interventions, like looking for new cures and treatments.

"When my family first migrated to Australia, the excitement of a new beginning was tempered by the challenge of navigating an unfamiliar world," writes PHAA Intern, Ruqia Mohamed.

"With limited English and no prior knowledge of the healthcare system, [my mother] often found herself overwhelmed.

"The ability to understand and engage with healthcare information is not just a convenience – it’s a lifeline."

Read more about Ruqia's path to on Intouch.

Adversity to advocacy: Ruqia’s path to public health : Intouch Public Health Ruqia's goal is to create a public health system that's culturally competent and sensitive to the unique needs of diverse populations.

Obesity is a major driver of the rising diabetes rates in Australia.

The causes of obesity are varied but can largely be attributed to the environments in which people live, rather than to individual choices - however, the focus remains skewed.

“[Overweight and obesity] is a issue that’s driven by individual determinants, but it’s also driven by environmental factors, social factors, economic factors," says PHAA Vice President (Policy), Prof Caroline Miller.

"What we need is a response that aligns with the drivers and also aligns with the evidence.”

Read more on the policy package we recommend to address this multifaceted health concern. ⤵

It’s time to talk seriously about preventing obesity : Intouch Public Health The causes of obesity are varied, but can largely be attributed to the environments in which we live, rather than to individual choices.

New Curtin University research has revealed at least 46,000 Australian welders are exposed to high levels of dangerous, potentially cancer-causing fumes at work — and little is being done to protect them.

“Welding fume exposure has been associated with various adverse health effects, including cancer, respiratory disease, neurological disorders and reproductive effects,” said study lead, Dr Renee Carey.

PHAA CEO, Adj Prof Terry Slevin, said the research revealed serious health risks which must be reduced.

“Every professional welder in Australia [must] be supplied with upgraded protective equipment to make their work as safe as humanly possible."

Read more: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/Web/News/Media-releases-2024/Cancer-risk--Most-Aussie-welders-exposed-to-high-levels-of-dangerous-fumes.aspx

Walk into any supermarket and you will be accosted by shelf upon shelf of unhealthy foods.

Even foods we might think are relatively healthy can contain excessive amounts of added sugar, salt and fat, such as yoghurts and breakfast cereals.

The accessibility and constant promotion of unhealthy products creates food environments that are making us sick - contributing to the rise of conditions like heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and many types of cancer.

Australia and New Zealand’s shared food regulatory system demonstrably fails at protecting our communities from the long-term impacts of consuming these unhealthy products.

With the Food Ministers' Meeting this week, now's the time to set the food regulatory system on a course that promotes long-term health.

Read more on Intouch.

Food Ministers urged to prioritise health over industry interests : Intouch Public Health Our current food environment is making us sick, yet food regulators are failing to take action to protect the health of our communities.

Join experts from around the country (and the globe) at the 2024 Australian Public Health Conference!

Promoting and investing in our public health system, to ensure it meets the unique needs of all people, is vital to a healthy Australia. That's why this year's conference will focus on 'high value public health in a complex world.'

will provide a platform for public health professionals to discuss, collaborate, and propose solutions to the health challenges facing our nation.

Register now: https://www.austph2024.com/registration

Want a career in , but not sure where to start?

Check out our top tips to assist students and young professionals in finding a public health role.

https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/tips-for-kickstarting-your-public-health-career/

Tips for kickstarting your public health career : Intouch Public Health We know how daunting it is out there as a job seeker, and hope that our member resource will be of assistance.

According to the 2024 website: “this year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.”

One of the ways that PHAA aims to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices is through research published in our academic journal, The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

"Articles published by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples centre our perspectives, which until more recently have often been excluded," says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Editor, Dr Summer May Finlay.

"Engaging in research, challenging the deficit dialogue which is so prevalent about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is all about keeping the fire burning and being Blak, Loud and Proud about our communities."

We're celebrating First Nations' perspectives by highlighting a list of recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ANZJPH ‘must read’ research papers.

Check them out on Intouch. https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/10-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-research-articles-to-read-this-naidoc-and-beyond/

10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research articles to read this NAIDOC week and beyond : Intouch Public Health One of the ways that we aim to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices is through research published in our Journal, ANZJPH.

Happy !

is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate First Nations histories and cultures: the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

Learn more about the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples this week by getting to know the 2024 NAIDOC Award winners: https://www.naidoc.org.au/awards/winner-profiles/

You can also support local First Nations communities by engaging in activities and events held across the country. Check out what's happening near you: https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events

The community applauds a new parliamentary report into the causes of and solutions for diabetes and obesity, and encourages the Australian Government to take action.

"Tackling obesity and diabetes is the next big public health challenge after e-cigarettes and to***co control," says PHAA CEO, Terry Slevin.

"We encourage the government to fight the ultra processed food sector with the same vigour."

Read more on Intouch.

Diabetes and obesity rise to top of national agenda : Intouch Public Health The primary aim must be prevention, and it is important that every strategy possible is used as part of a comprehensive preventative response.

There's less than a week left to enter our Student Think Tank competition!

You could win flights, accommodation, and registration to attend the Australian Conference in Perth, as well as the opportunity to present your ideas! 💡

Don't miss out - submit your response today: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/Web/About/SYPPH/Think-tank-competition.aspx

We're thrilled to announce Professor Luke Wolfenden as the new Editor-in-Chief of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Prof Wolfenden says that having a dual role as both an academic and practitioner has given him "a unique appreciation of how good quality evidence can make an impact on public health."

"The Journal should be not just a mechanism to share research, but also a tool for improvement."

Read more about Prof Wolfenden's vision for ANZJPH on Intouch.

Introducing Editor-in-Chief Prof Luke Wolfenden : Intouch Public Health We sat down with Prof Luke Wolfenden, new Editor-in-Chief of ANZJPH, to find out more about his career to date and vision for the Journal.

By now, you've heard that Parliament passed the Va**ng Reform Bill last week.

But what exactly do the reforms, which come into effect today, mean for v**e shops, pharmacists, and the public?

And how did we end up with the chosen model?

Our Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser, Malcolm Baalman, explains on Intouch. https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/va**ng-regulation-what-just-happened/

**ngReform

Va**ng regulation: what just happened? : Intouch Public Health The reforms are not the best regime that public health advice would have wanted, but they will put an end to the retail sale of e-cigarettes.

On behalf of the Board & staff at PHAA, we pay tribute to Cleveland Fagan and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

A proud Djabugay man from Kuranda, Cleveland will be fondly remembered for his long-standing leadership in Queensland’s ACCHO sector.

His loss will be felt by many, and his legacy will be long lasting. May his beautiful spirit rest in peace.

Our tribute: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/Web/News/Media-releases-2024/PHAA-pays-tribute-to-Cleveland-Fagan.aspx

Current food environments actively promote unhealthy and unsustainable dietary patterns.

Vested interests exercise a lot of power to construct and maintain this situation, enabling great profits to flow to some, while great harms are done to many.

But our community of experienced, passionate and trusted professionals are also powerful.

Change may be difficult, but is possible through developing our collective skills.

Find out more on Intouch.

Developing public health nutrition advocates : Intouch Public Health Current food environments actively promote unhealthy and unsustainable dietary patterns. Change may be difficult, but it is possible.

The passing of the e-cigarette reform bill today is a major advance in helping protect young people from a lifetime of ni****ne addiction.

These reforms, restricting the commercial sale and promotion of e-cigarettes, reflect the recommendations of Australia’s leading health and to***co control experts.

“We acknowledge that the final bill has been altered during the political process, but the passage of the bill remains a very positive step," says PHAA CEO, Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin.

“Importantly, the bill closes key loopholes allowing businesses to sell lolly-flavoured and brightly-coloured ni****ne v**es to teenagers and young people.

"The legislation passed today puts businesses profiting off addiction on notice."

Read more: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/Web/News/Media-releases-2024/Public-health-community-welcomes-action-on-va**ng-to-help-protect-young-people.aspx

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1,000 more teens will start va**ng per week if Parliament delays critical va**ng bill, say Cancer Council Australia, Public Health Australia, and Lung Foundation Australia.

New modelling from Cancer Council predicts an additional 1,185 teenagers aged 12 to 19 will take up va**ng each week, unless Parliament passes critical legislation to stop the retail sale of non-therapeutic v**es.

We all urge the Senate to pass this vital legislation today. Our joint statement: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/News/Media-releases-2024/1-000-more-teens-will-v**e-per-week-if-Parliament-delays-critical-va**ng-bill.aspx

: While Penelope Smith has been a PHAA member since 2017, only within the past year has she realised how much meaning and value her membership can offer.

"Being a PHAA member is more than opportunities to attend closed events, discounts on conference attendance, and cheaper publication fees in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

"For me, it is an avenue to demonstrate my commitment to , , and in public health in a practical and tangible way.

"No longer is it just a box in my tax return."

Read Penny's story on Intouch. https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/theres-more-to-phaa-membership-than-tax-deductions/

There’s more to PHAA membership than tax deductions : Intouch Public Health Despite being a member since 2017, it’s only within the last year that I’ve realised how much meaning and value my membership can offer me.

💡 Are you a student with an idea for how to address emerging challenges?

Share them with us for the chance to present your ideas at the Australian Public Health Conference in Perth!

You'll win conference registration, flights and accommodation, the opportunity to be profiled by Croakey Health Media, and a one-year PHAA membership.

Find out more about the Student Think Tank competition here: https://phaa.net.au/Web/About/SYPPH/Think-tank-competition.aspx

In the wake of , the World Health Organization (WHO) sought to negotiate an international Pandemic Agreement to strengthen , and response.

The 77th World Health Assembly marked the deadline for countries to reach consensus on the Agreement.

In the lead up to the meeting, tensions between countries rose and negotiations on key issues stalled, particularly regarding equitable access to life-saving products such as vaccines and medicines.

PHAA and the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) called on the Australian Government to support strong provisions in these critical areas, to potentially influence other countries and reach consensus.

Nevertheless, on the last day of negotiations, agreement on some sections of the draft treaty had not been reached.

Find out what's next on Intouch. https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/nations-struggle-to-reach-consensus-on-pandemic-agreement-as-negotiations-continue/

Nations struggle to reach consensus on Pandemic Agreement as negotiations continue : Intouch Public Health Tensions between countries rose and negotiations on key issues stalled, particularly regarding equitable access to pandemic products.

Most baby and toddler food products claim to be healthy.

‘No added sugar’, ‘made with wholegrains', and ‘no preservatives’ are just a few of the many claims the processed food industry uses to make these products sound nutritious.

But in reality, a shocking 72% of baby and toddler foods in Australian supermarkets fail to meet all nutrition standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

New research published in ANZJPH reveals how parents are being duped by the misleading marketing of baby and toddler foods - and that our youngest Australians are suffering for it.

Food for Health Alliance

Baby and toddler foods are not what they seem : Intouch Public Health In Australia, there are currently no requirements that baby and toddler foods should provide good nutrition.

The impact of commerce, economy, and trade on public health cannot be overstated.

That’s why we’ve established the Commerce, Economy, Trade and Public Health Conference, which will be held in Melbourne in November 2024!

We’ll explore topics like access to medicines, national health security, and power dynamics between the public and private spheres.

The inaugural conference will help delegates develop an understanding of how these factors influence health outcomes and equity.

We invite scholars and practitioners from diverse disciplines - be it , , , , or - to contribute their insights and expertise.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, exchange knowledge, and shape a robust, cross-disciplinary research agenda.

Find out more and submit your abstract here: https://www.cetph2024.com/

We've had a fantastic three days in Brisbane/Meeanjin at our Communicable Diseases & Immunisation Conference, learning from experts in , , and more.

We were joined by over 800 delegates who share a passion for creating healthy communities through .

Thank you to our sponsors, speakers, attendees, and organising committee - without whom wouldn't have been possible.

We look forward to seeing you in Adelaide next year!

It's well recognised that inclusivity improves health and wellbeing outcomes, but practical tips for frontline clinicians and students can be hard to find.

Our , and Special Interest Group recently came up with 12 tips to help practitioners foster inclusive healthcare settings.

Find them here: https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/twelve-tips-for-inclusive-practice-in-healthcare/

Twelve tips for inclusive practice in healthcare : Intouch Public Health It's well recognised that inclusivity improves health and wellbeing outcomes, but practical tips for clinicians can be hard to find.

: Brahm Marjadi says that being a PHAA member has connected him with heroes, mentors, friends and like-minded souls.

Brahm’s been a member for 16 years, and throughout that time has greatly contributed to our organisation’s growth, including founding our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Interest Group.

If you’re a student or professional, becoming a PHAA member offers a realm of opportunities for networking and development.

Join our work to make everyone in Australia less sick. Find out more: https://phaa.net.au/Web/Web/Membership/Benefits.aspx?hkey=a50e3c3c-2e55-4b0d-9c8f-6453840728af

“Biopiracy”, in which companies lift ideas from traditional knowledge and patent them, is a significant problem.

Last week, at a conference in Geneva, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO agreed on a new treaty aimed at preventing the for-profit piracy of .

Dr Alana Gall, PHAA Vice-President (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) contributed advice on the treaty text to the Indigenous Caucus, member states and advisors.

Read more about how the treaty will protect Indigenous communities and knowledges: https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/new-global-treaty-to-combat-biopiracy-of-traditional-knowledge/

Send a message to learn more