Category: Students and Young Professionals
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Finding my place in public health through purpose
Louis Commins “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu It is this ancient Chinese proverb that resonates most with me as my internship with the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) comes to an end and I look to my future career in public…
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Public health campaigns beyond borders
Professor Muhammad Aziz Rahman In Australia and around the world, government, not-for-profit, and private organisations campaign to raise awareness for various public health issues. Specific days, weeks, or months are often used to commemorate or advance global health, like Movember, STEPtember, and World Heart Day. With hundreds of global health…
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Reflections on the South Australian Population Health Conference
Chelsea Dyer, Kesiye Leghemo, Zahra Ali Padhani and Tharika Rodrigo The South Australian Population Health Conference on 25 October was so successful it sold out the venue. Hosted by the state Branches of PHAA and the Australian Health Promotion Association, the conference is the state’s premier developmental opportunity for emerging…
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The value of connection for public health scholars
Erin Fitzpatrick, Penelope Smith, Toya Ricci, Xavier Mills, and Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse Pursuing a PhD requires intense focus, often resulting in isolation from social pursuits, employment, and many aspects of regular life. Academic systems can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness, through ruthless competition and emphasis on individual success. While pursuing…
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Adversity to advocacy: Ruqia’s path to public health
Ruqia Mohamed As a first-generation Australian Somali, my life has always been intertwined with the threads of family, culture, and faith. Growing up, our home was filled with laughter, shared meals, and endless conversations. These elements of our close-knit family life were the foundation of my upbringing, instilling in me…
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Why attend a PHAA conference?
A big part of our work at PHAA is delivering conferences which cover different public health topics, like prevention, disease control, and mental health. Our conferences are hosted around Australia and provide a platform for public health professionals to network, collaborate, and learn from one another. We’re looking forward to…
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“One of the best things I’ve done”: student reps describe volunteering with PHAA
Priyanka Mascarenhas, Negin Mirzaei Damabi, Jay Kongsawat, Faith John, Zahra Ali Padhani, Chijindu Etalong These six student representatives from the PHAA South Australia Branch share their experience volunteering with the Association, and how they developed confidence, networks, and skills they will use throughout their public health careers. We’re excited to…
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Nikhil Kumar on bridging the gap between uni and the real-world
While initially daunting, the transition straight from university life to the dynamic world of public health at PHAA was filled with invaluable lessons and experiences. I joined the Association as an intern in January, after completing a Master of Public Health at the end of 2023. I was most surprised…