Priscilla Robinson View this week’s spreadsheet This week in COVID-land the general downward progression continues in both cases and fatalities,…
New public health workers are waiting in the wings, but will they have jobs to go to?
Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia For obvious reasons “the urgent” has also been “the important”…
How unhealthy industries shape public opinions on health policy
Elly Howse Many of us working, teaching and researching in public health are aware of the impact of the commercial…
Should I get a COVID vaccine while I’m pregnant or breastfeeding? Is it safe for me and my baby?
Nina Jane Chad and Karleen Gribble From Monday, Australia’s front-line health workers, quarantine staff, border control officers, and workers and…
The impact of COVID-19: More alcohol going into Australian homes than ever before
Luke Maxfield, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education As the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns hit our shores triggering a public…
The CODE Update – Introduction
Priscilla Robinson The CODE Update is a new regular feature on the Intouch blog to keep readers informed of COVID-19…
PHAA encourages Australians to support the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Public Health Association Australia Since the arrival of COVID-19 on our shores nearly 13 months ago, Australia can take enormous…
Australian-first study reveals the health risks of building child care centres too close to car parks
The following article is based on an original article published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health,…
The Public Health need to ‘Raise the Rate’
Dr Ingrid Johnston Having a healthy population is good for the country. Being unwell reduces productivity and increases costs to…
Political donations: a health sector perspective on the AEC donations data
Mining, resources, banking, gambling, consulting, telecommunications and the pharmaceutical sectors are the biggest donors to political parties and lobby groups,…
A minimum price for alcohol helped curb problem drinking in the Northern Territory — is it time for a national rollout?
Nicholas Patrick Taylor, Deakin University and Peter Miller, Deakin University The “floor price” for alcohol introduced by the Northern Territory…
Climate change: what actions can we take as health professionals?
Public Health Association of Australia In a message to health professionals, the World Health Organization says ‘climate change will be…
We are what we eat: We can all get behind the UN’s International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
Public Health Association of Australia By now, the majority of us have returned to work and well and truly put…
Government’s COVID-19 vaccine information campaign an opportunity to provide clearer messages and give community confidence
Public Health Association Australia Late last month the Australian Government launched its $23.9 million public information campaign to encourage Australians…
Surveys reveal the impact of employment loss on the mental health of Australians during COVID-19
In December 2020, the PHAA co-convened a special edition virtual conference with the theme: Preventing, detecting, controlling and managing COVID-19…
Women’s health and wellbeing during COVID-19: study captures April to October 2020 results
In December 2020, the PHAA co-convened a special edition virtual conference with the theme: preventing, detecting, controlling and managing COVID-19…
New report calls for action to confront our nation’s collective racism
Dr Summer May Finlay For reconciliation to be effective, it must involve truth-telling, and actively address issues of inequality, systemic…
Welcome to 2021 – a year of more uncertainty, but with cause for hope
Terry Slevin, PHAA CEO Here’s hoping that, as you read this, you retain some of the reinvigorating glow of a…
Australia’s national COVID-19 vaccination strategy is reasonable and fair
Dr Tarun Weeramanthri, President, Public Health Association of Australia Vaccination is a key element of Australia’s COVID-19 strategy for 2021.…
COVID results in dramatic rises in stress levels according to survey
PHAA Australasian COVID-19 Virtual Conference In December 2020, the PHAA co-convened a special edition virtual conference with the theme: Preventing,…
Adolescent mental health issues rise during COVID-19
PHAA Australasian COVID-19 Virtual Conference In December 2020, the PHAA co-convened a special edition virtual conference with the theme: Preventing,…
Quarantine versus isolation – what’s the difference?
The following is a thread published on Twitter on 10 January 2021 by the Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.…
A message to our public health workers in 2020
Terry Slevin Emotionally charged, fraught, threatening, unsettling and filled with uncertainty. 2020 is finishing like it started. In January it…
Covid, travel chaos and preventing carnage in WA
Terry Slevin Another outbreak, borders closing, family Christmas ruined; like many people, I’m angry and upset. Like tens of thousands…
Updated guidelines for low-risk drinking provide new opportunity to inform and empower Australians
Julia Stafford The wait is over. Last week the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released the updated guidelines…
Nearly 10 years on, the mental health scars of the 2010 Christchurch earthquake slowly heal
This article is based on an original article in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, authored by…
Addressing weight stigma in public health practice
Kristy Law and Dr Claire Pulker It’s time to change the way we talk about obesity. As public health professionals…
Climate change and health heats up
Ingrid Johnston The connections between climate and health, and the importance of systemic changes in Australia to recognise and address…
Australia urged to support proposal to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 medical products
Deborah Gleeson, Belinda Townsend and David Legge Australian officials will meet with other governments at the World Trade Organization this…
WA must take urgent action towards health impacts of climate change
Tarun Weeramanthri ‘Climate change is the defining issue of our time – and we are at a defining moment’ –…
Victorian state budget a mixed affair for public health
Anna Nicholson The 2020-21 Victorian state budget is a mixed affair for public health. There is much to congratulate the…
Preventive approaches needed to improve child and youth health and wellbeing
Tracey Oorschot and Jane Frawley Child, youth, Indigenous and social policy advocates have campaigned for improved health and wellbeing of…
Hazardous drinking in Australia: 10-year study reveals positive trend but still a long way to go
Australia’s drinking culture is well documented. As we prepare for a warm weekend with summer fast approaching, millions of Australians…
Study finds patterns of psychological distress, alcohol use and social disconnect among Australian mineworkers
Mental disorders, including mood, anxiety and substance use, are extensive throughout the world with one in three affected by such…
Facing Unprecedented Challenges: lessons from the 2020 Australian Public Health Conference
Jeremy Hunt At this point, unprecedented doesn’t quite do 2020 justice. Throughout the year governments and organisations have had to…
Exponential growth in COVID cases would overwhelm any state’s contact tracing. Australia needs an automated system
C Raina MacIntyre, UNSW The people at highest risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are…
Food security during COVID a critical challenge for remote Indigenous communities
NAIDOC Week 2020 – ‘Always was, always will be’ To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2020, the Public Health Association of Australia…
Ensuring COVID-19 information is culturally appropriate
NAIDOC Week 2020 ‘Always was, always will be’ To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2020, the Public Health Association of Australia is…
WellMob portal provides a one-stop-shop for COVID-safe information
NAIDOC Week 2020 ‘Always was, always will be’ To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2020, the Public Health Association of Australia is…
Congratulations to the ACT for committing to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility
Ingrid Johnston and Michael Doyle Recently the PHAA was pleased to join with the Raise the Age Coalition in…