two hands each holding a puzzle piece. Green grass in background.

In public health, is ‘co-design’ the answer to all our problems?

Leonie M. Short, Seniors Dental Care Australia In the last ten years, ‘co-design’ has emerged as a hot topic in … More

Making every global crisis a marketing opportunity: alcohol industry corporate activism

Abbie-Clare Vidler and Keira Bury The alcohol industry were among many organisations participating in World Environment Day, held by the … More

Image says Vote for Public Health, prevention and tobacco control, voteforpublichealth.com. It also features three vectors of a plant with a dollar sign, a no-smoking image, and a no vaping image.

An election campaign bereft of prevention efforts that could save lives: Daube

Emeritus Professor Mike Daube AO, PHAA President (2007-2010) Another day, another election spending announcement. Both major parties are promising funding … More

Ultra-processed foods are trashing our health – and the planet

Kim Anastasiou, Deakin University; Mark Lawrence, Deakin University; Michalis Hadjikakou, Deakin University, and Phillip Baker, Deakin University Our world is … More

Fruit and vegetables background. Text: 'Nutrition for Older Australians. Pre-Budget Submission. Brought to you by.... Nutrition for Older Australians Alliance (NOAA).'

How do we improve the nutrition of older Australians?

Kate Thiele – Meals on Wheels Australia & Melanie Parker – PHAA Introduction As people move through life, nutrition requirements change. … More

grocery display with many differently coloured items

It’s time to move beyond implementation to make healthy food retail changes successful and sustainable at scale

Dr Adyya Gupta and Professor Anna Peeters It is well established that unhealthy diet is a leading but preventable risk … More

Sun just coming up above clouds. Orange haze around the sun.

ANZJPH study shows the benefits of heatwave warnings for our most vulnerable

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA As Australia swelters through another scorching summer, a new report published in the Australian and New … More

Addy Carroll AM left Shirley Frizzell and Hon Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier of Western Australia and Minister for Health

Powerful pair recognised for decades of persistence at tobacco control

Paris Lord – PHAA Editor’s note: this Intouch post is longer than usual, but is worth your time, particularly if … More

PHAA salutes the positive health impacts of Australians of the Year 2022

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA The Public Health Association of Australia congratulates our 2022 Australians of the Year, four remarkable individuals … More

New study proves laughter is the best medicine

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA Given the world remains in the vice-like grip of this once-in-a-century pandemic, and the start of … More

Woman in Red Hoodie and Black Pants Running on Gray Asphalt Road

Let’s get physical: We know it’s potentially life-saving, so how do we get that ‘exercise benefits’ message across?

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA PHAA’s Note: This article does not constitute medical advice. Please see your doctor before starting exercise … More

Composite image features a portrait of Prof Billie Bonevski on the left and the roof of a Flinders University building, taken by Theen Moy

Flinders University adjusts to attract and train next generation of public health leaders

Professor Billie Bonevski – Flinders University Recognising the central role public health plays in the most wicked of the global … More

Wrapped Christmas presents under a tree. Credit: Mike Fleming/Flickr.

All I want for Christmas is an Australian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Terry Slevin, PHAA CEO Mariah Carey’s classic Christmas hit is a commercial radio and shopping centre staple every December. If … More

An architectural structure with light brown-coloured diamond shapes. Inside these shapes are blue geometric patterns. There are two small parts of the image at the top and bottom which show blue sky.

Creating Change: A Systems Change Framework to Drive Action on Chronic Disease

Dr Melanie Pescud, The Australian National University, and Professor Lucie Rychetnik, The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre The Difficulties of … More

Picture of a loveheart (red border, white inside) including small icons of people, pills, containers, clocks, brains, microscopes with an eye inside the lens, all located within the heart. Text says: Heart Failure. An active role for GPs and patients. Logos of Heart Foundation and NPS Medicine Wise

Collaborating to take an active role to improve heart failure: Heart Foundation and NPS MedicineWise

Brooke Atkins & Amanda Buttery, National Heart Foundation of Australia PHAA’s Note: This article does not constitute medical advice. If … More

A Pepsi branded vending machine on the left, and one for Coca Cola on the right.

Encouraging switching away from sugary drinks and towards water – using warning labels and Health Stars

Professor Caroline Miller, Dr Jo Dono and Dr Kerry Ettridge (SAHMRI and The University of Adelaide) Australia has one of … More

Composite image shows gambling cards and chips, fast food, and bottles of alcohol

Levies on unhealthy products reduce disease and heal the budget deficit

Terry Slevin – PHAA CEO As a result of the pandemic that has changed our lives, some are suggesting that … More

International Day of People With a Disability ambassador, Dylan Alcott OAM, on his story so far, and goals

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA 3 December is International Day of People With a Disability (IDPWD). Tennis superstar, Dylan Alcott OAM, … More

A portrait of HAA Board Member, Associate Professor Aziz Rahman, is imposed against logos against logos of the Public Health Association of Australia.

New PHAA Board member Aziz Rahman hopes to raise profile of SIGs

Associate Professor Muhammad Aziz Rahman has recently joined the PHAA Board as a co-convenor of the Health Promotion SIG. Currently … More

Composite image features an "I helped #VaxTheIllawarra" social media tile and a portrait photo of Soutara Potter. Portrait photo credit Tad Souden

Why a Prime Ministerial aspirant chose a career in public health instead

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA To date our public health workforce features have documented the careers of professionals with many years … More

Image features a computer circuit board and the words "digital health futures".

Digital futures: the intersection of technology and health

Anna Alex – PHAA intern The world is witnessing an era of accelerated and interlinked environmental, technological, economic and societal … More

Image features three men standing in front of a river. They are on a fishing trip. The text says "make the right call to keep your mates safe". Image is from the Royal Life Saving Australia

Pandemic blamed for drowning spike as new studies highlight risks to children and migrants

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA Australians’ love of the water is continuing to prove deadly, with a new report from Royal … More

Ageing population, climate change create new drowning risks: study

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA Background With the days lengthening, the weather and water warming, and COVID-19 restrictions lifting, many of … More

PHAA recognises our 2021 Emerging Leader, e-cigarette expert, Dr Michelle Jongenelis

How often do we hear this response? When we asked the winner of the PHAA’s Emerging Leader Award for 2021, … More

Composite image shows a social media tile from the Vax the Illawarra campaign featuring a thumbs up sign, and a photo of Toby Dawson, campaign volunteer

An update on the public health vaccination campaign tackling COVID wave in Illawarra

TOBY DAWSON – Vax the Illawarra Campaign Volunteer Background: In September we shared stories about the Vax The Illawarra campaign … More

Dr Summer May Finlay sits on the arm of a wooden chair in a backyard.

PHAA board member, Dr Summer May Finlay, part of community-led COVID19 vaccination campaign

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA One of the leading lights in Australia’s public health sector, proud Yorta Yorta woman, Dr Summer … More

The Infodemic: Emerging Public Health Challenges

Zoe Lawrence-Haughey – University of Western Australia Although misinformation has always existed, the rise of social media has pushed … More

Report says Australia needs a new, gold medal approach to measure our nation’s physical activity performance

Jeremy Lasek – PHAA As Australia’s Olympic team continues to make us proud, smashing records and inspiring a … More

Diabetiquette: Concerns of those living with diabetes

Zoe Lawrence-Haughey – University of Western Australia Ask anyone with diabetes about shame and stigma, and they will most likely … More

Junk food companies have no place on the Olympic sponsorship podium

Kathryn Backholer, Christina Zorbas and Florentine Martino The Tokyo Olympics is like no other before it. In the … More